Preserving the human element in AI-driven recruitment strategies

Recruitment is as much an art as it is a science. While technology has revolutionized how we identify and engage talent, the core of hiring remains deeply human, which is, understanding, aspirations, building relationships and fostering trust.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing talent acquisition, offering efficiency, precision and scalability like never before. From automating resume screenings to predicting candidate success, AI has streamlined many aspects of hiring process, saving time and resources. While AI can analyze data and identify patterns with accuracy, it can’t replicate the human connections that are the heart of great recruitment.

At NTT DATA, we’ve embraced AI to enhance our recruitment strategies, but we remain committed to preserving the human touch that makes hiring more than just a transaction. Here’s how we strike that balance.

AI in recruitment

Recruitment has come a long way from manual resume reviews and face-to-face interviews. AI now automates tasks like screening applications, sourcing candidates and scheduling interviews and reducing time-to-hire. Some of the benefits of AI implementation include:

• Efficiency: Accelerates initial screening and shortlisting, allowing recruiters to focus on more meaningful candidate interactions.
• Data-driven insights: Offers objective, bias-reducing evaluations of candidate fit.
• Scalability: Manages high volumes of applications without sacrificing quality.

However, while AI handles the mechanics, recruitment remains, at its core, a people-focused process. AI cannot replace the nuance of human interaction, particularly when it comes to assessing cultural fit, soft skills and potential.

Emerging HR trends

The role of AI in recruitment is part of a broader transformation in human resources. Several key trends are shaping the future of talent acquisition, but it is human expertise that brings these innovations to life:

• Skill-based hiring: NTT DATA’s Work Without Jobs article highlights a shift from rigid job roles to flexible, skill-based models. AI enables this transformation by identifying employee capabilities, mapping them to evolving business needs and supporting targeted upskilling. This approach allows organizations to match the right talent to the right work.
• AI-powered people analytics: NTT DATA highlights how AI and machine learning are transforming Human Experience Management by delivering predictive insights into performance, engagement and retention. These tools help HR make faster, data-backed decisions. However, it’s human interpretation that gives context and ensures alignment with organizational values.
• Personalized employee experience: AI customizes learning and development by analyzing performance data to offer individualized training paths.At NTT DATA, our machine learning platforms adapt training content based on personal performance data. Additionally, our Generative AI Talent Development Framework outlines role-specific, personalized training to foster AI proficiency across teams.

Yet technology alone is not enough, human mentorship and coaching remain essential for providing the guidance and support that the technology cannot deliver. 

Insights from NTT DATA Technology Foresight 2025

The NTT DATA Technology Foresight 2025 report highlights key trends that shape our recruitment strategy:

• Enhanced humans: AI supports recruiters by handling data-heavy tasks, allowing them to focus on interpersonal aspects of hiring such as evaluating cultural fit and candidate aspirations.
• Ambient intelligent experiences: AI-powered tools deliver seamless candidate interaction--from automated scheduling to tailored communication. However, warm and engaging experiences during interviews and feedback discussions require human empathy.
• Digital sustainability for economic resilience: Technology optimizes recruitment processes, but human judgement is vital for ensuring fair, inclusive hiring practices and ethical decision-making.

The human touch

AI enhances efficiency, but human involvement is irreplaceable in these areas:

• Building authentic relationships: Hiring is more than matching resumes to job descriptions. It’s about connections. Human interactions generate trust, engage candidates and ensure a value-based cultural fit.
• Assessing soft skills and emotional intelligence: Traits like empathy, leadership potential and adaptability are difficult to measure. Human judgement is critical in understanding a candidate’s behavior, communication style and team compatibility.
• Ethical considerations and bias mitigation: While AI can automate assessments, it can also perpetuate biases embedded in training data. Human oversight is important to ensure fair and inclusive hiring practices.

s Internal mobility—promoting and moving employees into new roles within the organization—is vital for employee retention and satisfaction. While AI facilitates this, it is the human insight and mentorship that drives success.

Here are AI’s contributions:

• Skills inventory management: AI systems maintain an up-to-date inventory of employee skills, making it easier to identify candidates for open positions.
• Personalized career paths: By assessing individual competencies and career aspirations, AI recommends tailored career paths and development opportunities.
• Supporting transitions: HR professionals facilitate smooth transitions through onboarding, mentorship and feedback, which makes employees feel supported in their new positions. • Upskill and reskilling programs: AI identifies skill gaps and suggests target training programs, ensuring employees are prepared for evolving roles.

• Career conversations: Managers and mentors engage employees to understand their aspirations beyond what AI can measure.
• Facilitating transitions: HR teams support internal moves with onboarding plans and mentorship, ensuring employees feel prepared and welcomed.
• Addressing concerns: Human empathy is key when helping employees navigate transitions, especially when moving into unfamiliar roles.

At NTT DATA, AI and human guidance work together to support internal career growth. By implementing AI technology, we have experienced a 128% increase in employee self-nominations for open roles and a 100% increase in employee referrals, showcases the technology’s effectiveness in enhancing internal mobility.

This success underscores that while technology can drive internal mobility, it is the human coaching and mentorship that make these transitions meaningful.

How we harmonize AI and human elements

At NTT DATA, our approach to blending technology with human expertise is intentional and people-focused:

• Hybrid models: AI handles initial screenings, but human recruiters lead interviews and final decisions to ensure a comprehensive evaluation.
• Continuous training: We train our recruitment teams to not only leverage AI tools but also to hone their interpersonal skills, such as listening, assessing fit and mentoring candidates.
• Transparent communication: We make sure candidates know how AI' is used in the hiring process to build trust and transparency.

We also maintain open lines of communication to address candidate concerns and questions.

What’s next

AI is a powerful tool that enhances recruitment processes, offering speed, insights, and personalization. Yet, it is people who bring recruitment to life.

Technology can assist with tasks, but human intuition, empathy, and relationships drive meaningful hiring decisions and career growth. At NTT DATA, we believe that the future of recruitment is not AI versus human expertise. It is AI and human expertise, working together. By balancing the strengths of technology with the irreplaceable human touch, we are building a workforce that is not only skilled and agile but also engaged, purpose-driven, and ready for the future.

Explore exciting opportunities at NTT DATA and be part of our AI revolution. Visit our Careers page to learn more.