Why 2024 proved the future of Talent Acquisition and Recruitment is Agenic.

While talent search and recruitment has relied on basic AI and simple automation for sometime, in my experience, 2024 has turbo charged this agenic, multifaceted approach.

Now I know I am using Agenic in a way that is not commonly used, but I do believe it’s use has merit.

As you know Agenic is often used to describe a system that has the ability act autonomously, work towards a specific goal and can adjust their actions based on circumstances, without constant human intervention.

To me, when applied in a context blending AI, automation, and human work, "agenic" is a collaborative system where all components—human and machine—possess a form of active agency to drive outcomes. I believe it is a concept that fits well with modern hybrid workflows.

To break it down a little, I will discuss how my Agenic system expands tradition talent acquisition horizons.

This system where agency is shared seamlessly between myself (human), AI and automation, unlocks the potential of expanded data sets to deliver better hiring outcomes.

When it comes to sourcing and screening, the Agenic approach isn’t about replacing recruiters but about empowering them through collaborative intelligence:

AI takes the first step, combing through data sources (internal and external) and identifies patterns and connections.

Automation then efficiently organises and ranks against requirements, and streamlines repetitive tasks.

Humans (me) step in to add the personal touch, interpreting the context behind the data: where judgment, creativity, and cultural understanding elevate the process beyond what algorithms can achieve.

There are real constraints however.

One of the challenges I’ve faced when working with commercial AI tools is recognising their inherent limitation: they’re only as good as the data sets they’ve been trained on. What “good” looks like to my organisation—and to me—can be vastly different from the assumptions embedded in those data sets.

Take sourcing candidates, for example. Off-the-shelf AI might prioritise certain keywords or experiences that reflect a generic, one-size-fits-all approach. But for my employer, the definition of an ideal candidate often includes nuances like alignment with our values, adaptability in a rapidly changing environment, or industry-specific competencies that aren’t as common in baseline data.

That’s why I’ve dedicated time this year to expanding data sets and training AI systems to understand what “good” means in our context. This involves feeding the AI with examples that reflect our priorities, adjusting algorithms to identify transferable skills, and fine-tuning the automation to reflect the real-world challenges of our talent acquisition goals.

One other strategy I’ve implemented to improve and streamline our talent acquisition process is the use of prompt personas (you know I have always been a fan). In fact, I have a whole village of prompt personas, and each has their own name. Consequently, each persona reflects the unique language, motivators, and interests of a specific segment, ensuring every interaction feels personal and relevant - whether it's career growth opportunities, shared values, or key motivators like flexibility and impact.

This approach not only supports stronger connections but also heightens my engagement rates and strengthens the talent pipeline. In an era where you can just tell AI from a moment of reading, my village ensures the “human” element remains – plus a good tweak before sending. It is essential that the human element remains central to the recruitment strategy.

It is an ongoing process. However, the payoff is clear: by aligning commercial AI’s understanding with our organisation’s needs, I’ve seen improved outcomes in sourcing, screening, and decision-making. More importantly, this ensures that technology doesn’t lead us to settle for “good enough” when we can achieve “just right.”

In an Agenic recruitment desk, it’s a collaboration in a perfect balance. AI and Automation handle the heavy lifting, while I remain the architect of the hiring experience. This ensures both efficiency and human connection.

This is where hiring is headed – towards something smarter, more inclusive and far more impactful.

For the purpose of illustration, I have used two very basic approaches: I’d love to hear how you are embracing an Agenic Desk.