The key to successful Artificial Intelligence adoption in the recruitment outsourcing sector lies in custom-built solutions that are defined and implemented by cross-department steering groups. That’s according to the latest research paper from APSCo OutSource, the trade body for the professional recruitment outsourcing sector.

In the latest of its OutSource Knowledge Hub reports – which collates best practice advice and examples from experts across Adecco UK&I, Allegis Global Solutions, AMS, LinkedIn, Guidant Global, HET Flexhuis, Manpower Group, Magnit, Page Outsourcing and Resource Solutions – APSCo OutSource tackled the topic of AI adoption in the sector.

The recruitment outsourcing leaders involved in the study indicated that custom-built Artificial Intelligence tools deliver the best results for the sector, but implementation of this requires ownership of the project from a dedicated steering group with an interest in AI to make it work.

“Artificial Intelligence has huge potential to drive innovation and efficiency in the recruitment outsourcing sector but it is a complex topic to navigate. While we are all learning together, the experiences of the OutSource Knowledge Hub suggest that bespoke AI tools deliver better value, not because there’s a problem with off-the-shelf solutions, but rather because how each business uses Artificial Intelligence and what information is being fed into these tools is very individual”, comments Melanie Forbes, Managing Director, APSCo OutSource.

“Open-source AI tools - such as the recently released OpenAI ChatGPT - utilise the wealth of data that’s publicly available, but in reality, it is the unique data that outsourcing firms hold within their business that will steer the best tech-enabled solutions, which is why custom-built tools are going to be so valuable,” Melanie adds.