HR & AI: Exploring the future of talent and recruitment

The IE Alumni House hosted a panel discussion focused on the evolving role of human resources in the new age of artificial intelligence. Organized by the Alumni People & Talent Club, the event brought together industry professionals and members of the IE community to explore how AI is transforming recruitment processes, talent management and organizational strategy.

Through expert presentations and an interactive discussion, attendees gained insight into how HR teams are adapting to the new technological change of AI, balancing efficiency with human judgment, and redefining their role within increasingly digital organizations. 

The panel opened with a presentation by Miguel Valdivieso, Managing Director of People & Organization at Accenture Spain, who explored the challenges of AI adoption in HR. He highlighted the distinction between productivity and transformation, emphasizing that while efficiency is often measurable, the real impact of AI lies in its ability to reshape how organizations create value.

Valdivieso also noted that despite growing interest in generative AI, a significant number of initiatives fail to scale, often due to the human side of implementation. "This is not about what to do with technology, it’s about how to teach people to do new things with technology," he said.

The discussion continued with Rafael Serrano from Intelligent Talent Acquisition at BBVA Spain, who focused on the application of AI in talent acquisition. He outlined how automation is being used to improve both efficiency and quality in recruitment processes, while also reminding the importance of a structured and intentional approach.

According to Serrano, successful implementation requires HR teams to think systemically about how AI tools are integrated into existing workflows. "There are three important flavors (how I like to call them) or models for the AI implementation: enable, build, buy, as recommended you should always use these three," he said. 

Panelists agreed that HR teams must not only adopt new technologies but also develop the skills needed to use them effectively. With a relatively small proportion of HR professionals currently specializing in technology, there is a growing need for upskilling and cross-functional collaboration.

The event concluded with an open discussion, where attendees and panelists discussed important questions regarding the future of AI in HR. One IE alumni attendee said "It helped me see the transformation AI has overgone in recent years, and learn how to modernize and implement AI into these spaces." 

By bringing together industry experts and the IE community, the panel highlighted the critical role HR will play in shaping the future of work. As organizations continue to navigate the impact of artificial intelligence, events like this provide a valuable platform for conversations, sharing knowledge and forward-thinking perspectives.