AI, Agents, and the Future of Talent: Highlights from Our C-Level Executive Dinner at KOL
AI, Agents, and the Future of Talent: Highlights from Our C-Level Executive Dinner at KOL
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On 1 May 2025, Pracedo brought together 11 senior leaders from the recruitment industry for an exclusive executive dinner to explore the evolving role of artificial intelligence in talent acquisition. Hosted at the Michelin-starred KOL in London, the evening unfolded over a six-course tasting menu at the chef’s table in the restaurant’s private dining room—offering the perfect environment for meaningful conversation, fresh perspectives, and collaboration.
The event was hosted by Ellie Copp, Pracedo’s Chief Revenue Officer, alongside Rob Stephens, Salesforce RVP, who co-chaired the evening and helped guide the discussion.
Agenda Highlights
The evening began with a Margarita and Champagne reception in Kol’s Mezcaleria at 5:30 PM before guests moved into the dining room for an engaging evening of structured dialogue, with each course representing a key theme in the AI recruitment landscape.
Key Themes & Talking Points
The discussion touched on many of the opportunities and uncertainties recruitment leaders face as AI becomes more embedded in business processes. Some of the standout insights and challenges included:
1. Efficiency vs. Deskilling
While many attendees acknowledged AI’s potential to save time—especially with repetitive tasks like resume screening or interview scheduling—some expressed concern that AI may be contributing to a “deskilling” effect. As one executive asked, “If we rely on AI to do the simple tasks, are we losing our ability to learn or sharpen our own skills?”
2. Readiness and Data Quality
A surprising insight was how many guests felt their data wasn’t ready for AI. Most assumed only structured data could be used, unaware that unstructured data can also be leveraged in modern AI systems. The misconception of data readiness continues to be a blocker for AI adoption.
3. AI Adoption Still in Early Stages
Despite the hype around AI, none of the attendees reported using AI Agents yet. Most are using AI in its simplest forms—often described more accurately as automation. The consensus was that the industry is in the early stages of transformation, with cautious but growing interest.
4. Cultural and Organisational Impact
Concerns also surfaced around what AI means for job security and team motivation. One guest raised a thought-provoking scenario: “If people can work four days and still meet their targets with AI, will they push for more—or simply do enough?” This led to a deeper discussion on how AI might shift employee expectations, performance culture, and business growth strategies.
5. Ethical Implications and DEI
The group explored how AI could mitigate unconscious bias in hiring, though several acknowledged the risk of algorithmic bias if not carefully monitored. Fairness, transparency, and explainability were noted as critical priorities for successful implementation.
Capita’s Agentforce Journey
A highlight of the evening came from Matt Schutz, who shared how Capita is applying Salesforce’s Agentforce technology in its recruitment operations. His talk provided a practical glimpse into what’s possible when organisations start small, focus on tangible outcomes, and scale based on impact.
Ellie Copp remarked, “It’s clear that while the AI journey is different for every business, the appetite to explore its potential is growing fast. What stood out most was the willingness to question, challenge, and learn from one another—that’s what innovation needs.”
A Night of Discovery, Dialogue, and Connection
Thank you to all of our guests who contributed their perspectives, questions, and expertise. As we look to the future of recruitment and AI, it’s these types of open forums that help shape the next chapter of innovation—together.
Want to be part of the next conversation?
If you’re a recruitment leader looking to explore the role of AI in your business, get in touch with the team at Pracedo to join our next executive roundtable or learn how Agentforce can drive real impact in your organisation.
Why Partner with Pracedo?
At Pracedo, we specialise in helping recruitment businesses harness the full potential of Salesforce’s Agentforce. With our expertise in AI-driven solutions, we empower recruitment organisations to streamline processes, improve candidate experiences, and maximise hiring efficiency. Whether you’re looking to implement Agentforce from scratch or optimise your existing Salesforce setup, our team of experts is here to guide you every step of the way. Contact us today to learn how we can help you transform your recruitment strategy with the power of AI.
Pracedo is an award-winning Summit (Platinum) Salesforce Consulting Partner that delivers innovative Salesforce implementations to forward-thinking customers.
With over a decade of experience focused on Salesforce, we work with our customers to unlock the platform’s power through tailored implementations that facilitate achieving business goals and ambitions. Our talented team of over 80 Salesforce professionals globally means that Pracedo offers a boutique consultancy experience, delivered locally to you, with the breadth and depth of knowledge earned from delivering over 1000 projects across our locations.
Pracedo specialises in Digital Transformation and Change Management. Implementations and customisations include: Salesforce Sales Cloud, Salesforce Service Cloud, Salesforce Marketing Cloud, Salesforce Marketing Cloud Account Engagement, Salesforce Revenue Cloud, Salesforce Experience Cloud and Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud.
