Not long ago, I found myself in a conversation about how almost everyone today carries a mobile phone that holds more computing power than what was used to send a human to the moon. It is remarkable to think how something so embedded in daily life took more than 20 years to gain mainstream acceptance.
The delay was not just about cost. Much of it came from fear, skepticism, and a simple question: “Why would I want to be reachable anywhere I go?” In the early days, mobile phone users were often mocked or dismissed as overly technical. The technology felt unnecessary to most people until that started to change.
The journey began in the 1960s with car phones, limited by size and practicality. Motorola released the first handheld model in 1973, and Japan launched the first commercial mobile network in 1979. Still, it was not until the late 1990s that mobile phones became widely adopted, as people finally recognized their value. Today, we rely on them for almost everything: banking, navigation, security, and communication. It is difficult to imagine life without them.
Artificial Intelligence Is on a Similar Path
Artificial intelligence, especially in recruitment, is going through a similar transformation. We are now at a point where AI is moving beyond initial fear and toward real, practical impact. What once seemed futuristic is quickly becoming part of how we work every day.
How AI Is Changing Recruitment Through ATS Platforms
Modern Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) now use AI to help organizations find and evaluate talent more effectively. Much like the evolution of the mobile phone, AI in recruitment is shifting from novelty to necessity. These systems are helping hiring teams:
- Screen and rank applicants based on skills and fit
- Identify patterns in high-performing hires
- Minimize bias through structured, data-driven processes
- Automate candidate communication and updates
- Reduce time-to-hire and improve candidate experience
5 AI-Enabled ATS Platforms Leading the Way
Several platforms are already using AI to bring these benefits to life. Here are five examples:
- Zoho Recruit: Delivers AI-driven candidate matching, resume parsing, and interview analytics to simplify hiring decisions.
- Greenhouse: Combines structured hiring practices with AI insights to reduce bias and improve decision-making.
- Lever: Uses machine learning to recommend top-fit candidates and automate outreach.
- iCIMS Talent Cloud: Applies AI for job-candidate matching, internal mobility, and workforce planning.
- SmartRecruiters: Offers predictive analytics, resume scoring, and AI-based candidate communication tools.
Looking Ahead
AI in recruitment is still evolving, but its direction is clear. Just as we once asked why we needed a phone in our pocket, we are now beginning to understand why data-powered tools can enhance hiring. It is not about replacing people. It is about empowering them to make better, faster, and more inclusive decisions.
As Johann Wolfgang von Goethe once said, “The greatest thing in this world is not so much where we stand as in what direction we are moving.” In recruitment, we are moving toward a smarter future powered by artificial intelligence.
To learn how Sperto Consulting can help your organization streamline operations through automation and AI, contact us today.