How AI is Reshaping Recruitment: Inside the AI in Recruitment Summit 2025

On April 24, 2025, The Loft at The Ivy West Street buzzed with anticipation as over 50 workforce leaders from across the talent and tech landscape gathered for our highly anticipated AI in Recruitment Summit. Hosted in the heart of London, the event brought together HR innovators, AI specialists, and industry professionals for a powerful afternoon of insights, conversation, and connection.

With a three-course lunch setting the tone, the summit delivered rich, practical discussion on how AI is already transforming hiring, and what lies ahead for recruitment in the digital age.

A warm welcome and a shared vision

The afternoon opened with a welcome from Simon Blockley, CEO of Impellam Group UK and Europe. His message was clear: AI is not the future of recruitment, it’s the present. From enhancing candidate experience to driving smarter workforce strategies, the use of AI in talent acquisition is accelerating, and Impellam is proud to be part of it.

Mapping the market: Insights from Darren Topping

Next, Darren Topping, Director of Enterprise Solutions, Insights & Partnerships at Impellam, took the stage to unpack recent research findings and emerging trends shaping the recruitment tech space.

His session revealed fascinating shifts in both candidate and employer sentiment:

• Over 50% of workers believe AI makes their job easier or better.

• 78% of candidates are open to new opportunities, but motivations are changing, with skills development and career progression now outranking salary.

• 75% of employers using AI in recruitment find the tools effective, especially for screening, sourcing, scheduling, and testing.

• While enthusiasm is high, so is caution: only 2.6% of HR leaders view AI negatively, but many still use it only in select stages of the hiring process.

Darren’s key message - “AI adoption is real, impactful, and here to stay - but for most businesses, the journey is just beginning.”

Keynote from Dr. Daniel Hulme: The human side of AI

One of the most thought-provoking moments of the day came from our keynote speaker, Dr. Daniel Hulme, CEO of Satalia and Chief AI Officer at WPP. A dynamic speaker, Dr. Hulme explored the six major applications of AI, from automation to human augmentation, while also addressing the ethical, legal, and societal implications of the technology.

He challenged the audience to consider the risks as well as the opportunities, encouraging organisations to pursue “human-centric AI”; innovation that enhances, rather than replaces, the human touch in recruitment.

“Start with the friction, build the framework. Think about AI through the lens of applications and work backwards,” Hulme advised, urging a pragmatic approach to ethical AI deployment.

He added: “The nation that leads in AI will be the ruler of the world,” sparking conversations that continued long after the session ended.

Highlights from the day

Throughout the afternoon, attendees explored how AI is:

• Streamlining complex talent acquisition projects, such as workforce planning

• Enhancing efficiency in candidate screening, sourcing, and onboarding

• Raising important questions around transparency, bias, and data ethics

• Requiring recruiters and TA teams to adapt quickly to new technologies and ways of working

The sessions were punctuated by lively Q&A, spirited debate, and plenty of real-world use cases that helped bring the possibilities of AI in recruitment to life.

A key strength of the summit was the diversity of perspectives, with leaders from various sectors sharing how they’re navigating AI in real time.

We took the chance to interview some of the industry leaders in attendance - watch the video to hear expert insights, catch the standout moments, and discover why the key to successful AI adoption is starting with the problem — not the technology.

The summit wrapped up with a networking session, where guests exchanged insights, made new connections, and discussed how their organisations are responding to the rise of AI. The conversations were as energising as the content itself, with collaboration and innovation firmly on the agenda.

Looking ahead

The AI in Recruitment Summit 2025 reinforced our commitment to leading the way in tech-enabled talent solutions. As AI continues to evolve, forums like this will be essential for staying informed, inspired, and future-ready.

From automation to augmentation, the recruitment world is changing — and with the right blend of human and machine intelligence, the future of hiring looks bright.

Next steps for AI in recruitment and workforce management

Our AI in Recruitment and Workforce Management research report is an essential resource for anyone interested in the future of workforce management. Compiled from a survey of over 100 UK & European HR, People & Resourcing leaders, this report offers the opportunity to stay ahead of the curve. Download the "AI in Recruitment and Workforce Management" report today. Equip yourself with the knowledge and strategies needed to leverage AI for optimal workforce outcomes.