HR & AI – A YEAR ON: Navigating the Future of Talent Acquisition and Tech
At the start of 2024, HR and talent leaders shared their hopes and concerns about the rise of AI: increased productivity, emerging skills gaps, data privacy, and the potential to free teams to focus on what matters most—people.
One year later, we gathered experts from across technology, consulting, and the creative industries to reflect on how that vision has played out.
In a dynamic, forward-looking panel discussion, our speakers explored:
- What’s actually working when it comes to AI in HR
- How AI is reshaping the candidate experience—for better and for worse
- Whether organisations are keeping pace with the skills, strategies, and policies needed to adopt AI responsibly
As AI becomes increasingly embedded in talent acquisition and HR operations, people professionals must stay ahead of the curve—ready to lead, challenge, and shape how these tools are used.
Key Takeaways:
Nick Jacks, Director of Talent Acquisition, Universal Music Group UK:
“Approach AI with curiosity, while recognising its limits and the importance of human connection. In Talent Acquisition, the greatest value comes from combining tech-enabled solutions with people-first thinking”
Kate Parkyn, Talent Director, Isomorphic Labs:
“Don’t adopt AI for AI’s sake. Ask: Will this drive real business value? Align tools to business strategy—and assess the ethics of those building them.”
Sam Seehra, Director, People Advisory, BDO:
“HR and TA need to lead the conversation on AI’s impact—not wait for the CEO to ask. Be proactive on re-skilling, workforce planning, and culture change.”
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Career Moves Networking events aim to unite a vibrant community of HR professionals to discuss the pressing issues and challenges in the field. We meticulously curate our events to present a diverse mix of perspectives, ensuring that the needs and interests of all attendees are fully addressed.
about the panellists
Kate Parkyn – Talent Director – Isomorphic Labs
Kate brings a wealth of experience from her role at Isomorphic Labs, where she leads talent acquisition in AI-driven drug discovery. With diverse work experience spanning various industries, Kate has a strategic approach to leveraging AI for talent acquisition and recruitment and roles.
Before joining Isomorphic Labs, Kate worked at DeepMind as a Talent Acquisition Lead in Research & Engineering, where they contributed to breakthroughs in artificial general intelligence. Kate also served as a Recruitment Manager at Sporting Index, an industry leader in sports spread betting, and as an IT Recruitment Manager at ResourceBank, where they represented clients such as The White Company, ASOS.com, Gate Gourmet, and Pitney Bowes. Kate’s earlier experience includes roles as a Coach for the West Midlands Special Olympic Ski Team, a Ski Instructor at SnowDome Ltd., and a Recruitment Associate for Pitney Bowes.
Nick Jacks – Director of Talent Acquisition, Universal Music Group UK
Nick Jacks is a senior, people-centric leader with extensive global experience across start-ups, scale-ups, and large corporate entities. He has made a significant impact in talent acquisition, focusing on innovation, technology, and culture. His strategic, solution-oriented approach has enabled him to build world-class talent teams that align with business goals, excelling at attracting and retaining top talent.
As Director of Talent Acquisition at Universal Music Group, Nick oversees the global talent strategy, driving efforts to attract, develop, and retain exceptional talent. He has previously held key roles at Tripledot Studios, Sony, and Ocado, among others. Nick’s achievements include multiple nominations for the In-House Recruitment Awards, including four in 2023, and winning “Best International Recruitment Team” in 2018. Passionate about collaboration and inclusive work cultures, Nick continues to shape the future of talent acquisition through innovation and technology.
Sam Seehra, People Advisory Services Director – BDO
Sam brings over 16 years of expertise in the People & Talent arena. His leadership in BDO’s Talent Solutions business is marked by a comprehensive approach to Talent Acquisition & Management, Workforce Skills, Culture and Employee Experience. During his time at BDO, Sam has been instrumental in driving organisational culture projects and enhancing employee engagement through innovative EVP strategies. He is a passionate Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) advocate; in his previous role Sam was the subject matter expert (SME) for a scalable Inclusive Leader proposition and he is currently a mentor for members of BDO’s CEDAR (celebrating ethnic diversity and roots) community.
Interested in how AI is affecting your hiring strategy—or want support navigating what’s next?
Get in touch with our team today
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