Key takeaways from a recent INTOO webinar featuring Trent Cotton, Head of Talent Insights and Analyst Relations at iCIMS
If it feels like every talent acquisition conversation eventually turns to AI, you’re not imagining it.
During a recent INTOO webinar, Everyone’s Using AI in TA, But Has Hiring Really Changed?, talent acquisition expert Trent Cotton joined INTOO CRO Mira Greenland to unpack findings from iCIMS’ 2026 AI Adoption Report. Together, they explored one of the biggest questions facing recruiting leaders today: despite widespread AI adoption, are organizations actually hiring differently?
The answer, according to the data, is both yes and no.
Watch the webinar here:
Not All AI Is the Same
One of the most valuable parts of the discussion centered on a distinction that often gets lost in industry conversations: the difference between automation, generative AI, and agentic AI.
As Cotton explained, automation is largely rule-based and procedural.
Generative AI acts more like a collaborator.
“The human is still in control—you just have a really cool sidekick.”
Agentic AI, however, represents something fundamentally different.
“Agentic is something completely different. It is: do this like me, do this with me, and if I tell you to, do this for me.”
While agentic AI is generating enormous interest across the HR technology landscape, adoption remains far lower than many assume.
In fact, webinar attendees were surprised to learn that only a small percentage of organizations are currently using agentic AI within their recruiting processes.
The finding served as a useful reminder that industry hype and organizational reality aren’t always aligned.
The Most Surprising Insight: AI Is Making Recruiting More Human
Perhaps the most encouraging discussion of the webinar focused on how recruiters are using the time AI saves.
For years, concerns about AI have centered on whether automation would diminish the human side of recruiting. The data suggests the opposite may be occurring.
Organizations reported using time savings from AI to spend more time:
- Building candidate relationships
- Engaging with hiring managers
- Advising business leaders
- Supporting strategic workforce planning
Cotton found the trend both surprising and encouraging.
“It’s very ironic to me that it takes a machine entering into a human system for the human to be able to focus back on the human aspects of it. But that’s exactly the lift that we need in talent acquisition.”
Rather than replacing recruiters, AI appears to be helping them focus on the work that drives the greatest value—and that only people can do.
Could AI Finally Elevate Talent Acquisition’s Strategic Role?
One of the broader themes that emerged during the conversation was the opportunity AI creates for recruiting teams to become more strategic.
Cotton referenced prior research showing that only 34% of CHROs view recruiting as a strategic function within their organizations.
His hope is that AI changes that.
“My hope is that this is kind of an early indication, and that the more AI and automation frees up the recruiter, that they’re investing even more time into this.”
He continued:
“TA has been buried by its own processes, by the regulatory environment. I really see that if governed and put in with the right framework on the front end, AI and automation can get the good recruiters doing what they’re best at.”
And what is that?
Building business relationships. Creating trust. Influencing hiring decisions. Helping organizations solve talent challenges.
The Questions Talent Leaders Should Be Asking Now
As the webinar wrapped up, one message became clear: the conversation has moved beyond the question of whether organizations should adopt AI.
Instead, talent leaders should be asking:
- Are we using AI in ways that create meaningful business value?
- Are we applying it consistently across the recruiting lifecycle?
- Are we measuring impact beyond productivity gains?
- Are we giving recruiters the opportunity to become more strategic?
The organizations that gain the greatest advantage won’t necessarily be those deploying the most AI tools. They’ll be the ones that use those tools to amplify human expertise and strengthen the recruiting function’s impact on the business.
The data shows AI adoption is already here. The next challenge is ensuring that adoption translates into better hiring outcomes, stronger candidate experiences, and a more strategic role for talent acquisition.
Watch the webinar on demand to hear the full discussion between INTOO’s Mira Greenland and iCIMS’ Trent Cotton and explore what the latest AI adoption data means for your recruiting strategy.
Sarina Basch is VP of Marketing at INTOO, where she leads research on evolving workforce trends. She has led multiple high-impact studies—frequently cited by top-tier media—on layoffs, careers, and workplace innovation, helping inform how business leaders and HR executives navigate today’s employee experience.
