Rebecca Carr, CEO of SmartRecruiters, joins Denise Chaffin to discuss the company’s recent acquisition by SAP and what it means for the future of talent acquisition technology. Rebecca shares her journey from recruiter to product leader to CEO, her perspective on the ATS market’s evolution, and how AI is reshaping recruiting workflows. She explains how SmartRecruiters is pioneering AI-driven solutions like Winston, an agent designed to handle workflow orchestration and recruiter support, while emphasizing the importance of humanizing hiring in the age of automation. The conversation explores industry consolidation, recruiter skill evolution, misconceptions about AI, and what TA leaders should do now to stay ahead.

Key Episode Segments:

• SAP’s Acquisition of SmartRecruiters: A milestone that signals increased consolidation in the HR tech space and accelerates AI-driven innovation.

• ATS Evolution 3.0: The shift from supply-chain-inspired systems to cloud-based platforms to AI-enabled, no-UI recruiting experiences.

• Winston, the AI Recruiting Agent: Designed to integrate into daily workflows (Slack, Teams, ATS) and coordinate with other AI agents across the recruiting ecosystem.

• Recruiting Roles Are Changing: AI will take over 82% of administrative tasks, allowing recruiters to become true talent advisors.

• Practical Advice for Leaders: Start experimenting with AI now (begin with interview scheduling) and retire the mindset that automation alone equals AI.

Joseph Burns, CEO of Lupa, joins Denise Chaffin to share why the future of hiring isn't about replacing recruiters with AI, but empowering them. Drawing from personal experience building and shutting down an AI recruiter, Joseph walks through the trade-offs, risks, and realities of automation in TA. He shares how Lupa uses AI to enhance decision-making, how cultural context matters in global hiring, and why his team blends human empathy with tech-powered efficiency. This episode delivers a grounded look at AI’s limits—and what thoughtful innovation really looks like.

Key Episode Segments:

• AI Isn't the Solution—It's a Tool: Joseph shares why his AI recruiting startup failed and how candidates rejected being interviewed by AI, especially top talent.

• Augmentation Over Automation: At Lupa, AI is used to support recruiters with better processes, scorecards, and prep—not to replace the human element.

• Cultural Intelligence in Global Hiring: Joseph explains why Latin America can’t be treated as a monolith and how onboarding with cultural understanding leads to better outcomes.

• Tech Stack Strategy: Lupa’s success comes from blending thoughtful AI with strong personal branding, categorizing prospects, and engaging meaningfully via LinkedIn.

• Caution Over Hype: Joseph predicts a swing back from AI recruiting hype as companies realize the real risks—negative selection bias and shallow assessments.

In this episode, Denise Chaffin sits down with David Manaster, the longtime CEO and founder of ERE Media, to reflect on the past, present, and future of talent acquisition. With over 25 years at the forefront of recruiting media, David shares stories from the early internet days, the rise of job boards, and the massive shifts brought by AI. They dive into the evolution of sourcing, the changing nature of industry conferences, and how recruiters can adapt—or pivot—to thrive in an increasingly tech-driven field. From full-desk recruiting to competitive intelligence, David offers thoughtful insight into what remains timeless and what’s transforming rapidly in TA.

Key Episode Segments:

• Historical Perspective: David started ERE Media in 1998, originally creating an email discussion list for recruiters that evolved into a major media and events company.

• Tech Cycles & Parallels: He compares the current AI wave to the early internet revolution—both disruptive, both overhyped, and both ultimately transformative.

• Sourcing Evolution: While the term “sourcing” rose recently, the skillset is shifting from standalone roles to part of every recruiter’s toolkit thanks to advanced software.

• TA Conferences Have Changed: Conferences have exploded in number post-COVID, but many are now vendor-driven or pay-for-play, which shifts the learning environment.

• Futureproofing Talent: David sees early tech adopters in TA—especially sourcers—transitioning successfully to broader roles, including competitive intelligence and advisory positions.