AI in Executive Search: Evolving the Practice

As artificial intelligence continues to reshape industries, executive search is undergoing a quiet revolution—evolving from cautious experimentation to integrated, AI-augmented workflows. To dive deeper into this transformation, join us for a special webinar tomorrow, June 24, featuring HelloSky founder Alex Bates and top industry leaders as they discuss how AI-powered platforms are redefining talent acquisition and human capital strategy.

June 23, 2025 – The integration of AI in executive search has moved from a stage of tentative experimentation to a more mature phase where workflows are actively being reimagined. However, executive search firms tell Hunt Scanlon Media that many firms still find themselves navigating challenges on the maturity curve—ranging from concerns over data quality to cultural resistance from long-tenured professionals. Key barriers to adoption include the perceived threat to human expertise, technical compatibility with legacy systems, and the steep learning curve for AI literacy. Successful firms have overcome these hurdles by embedding AI incrementally, focusing on transparent ROI metrics, and offering tailored upskilling programs to align teams with new, AI-augmented roles.

The most transformative applications of AI have emerged in the research and shortlisting phases of the search lifecycle. AI tools can rapidly synthesize candidate databases, market intelligence, and social signals to surface hidden talent pools and unconventional fits that human researchers may miss. In one instance, a search firm reported uncovering a candidate with an atypical background who went on to become a standout finalist—thanks to AI-powered pattern recognition that detected alignment with the client’s evolving strategic direction. Best practices now emphasize a “human-in-the-loop” model: AI generates options, but seasoned recruiters apply judgment, validate soft skills, and assess cultural resonance—elements still best handled by human intuition and interaction.

Looking ahead, AI will continue reshaping how executive search firms differentiate themselves. Tools that help refine scorecards dynamically based on real-time candidate supply, generate talent insights for client calibration, or provide recruitability scoring are already gaining traction. Recruiters say that these capabilities not only deepen client engagement but also speed up decision-making and increase the value of each touchpoint. As AI accelerates the targeting of shortlists, firms are poised to reallocate more time to deeper assessment, relationship-building, and narrative shaping—areas where human nuance remains irreplaceable. The executive search firm of the future will not be less human—it will be more intelligent in how it uses its human capital.

Upcoming Webinar

Join us tomorrow June 24 for a timely discussion on how AI-driven platforms are transforming the future of talent acquisition and human capital strategy.

In this insightful webinar, Alex Bates, founder and CEO of HelloSky, will explore how AI-powered innovations—such as Smart Rank, a tool that helps search professionals prioritize top candidates, along with behavioral analytics and recruitability scoring—are transforming hiring by improving candidate quality, accelerating timelines, and increasing retention. Drawing from HelloSky’s extensive work with clients, Alex will offer practical insights on how to implement these tools to create a more strategic and data-driven talent acquisition function.

He will be joined by Jared Cohen, chief operating officer at NU Advisory Partners, Kirk Couser, chief information officer at Bespoke Partners, and John Boehmer, founder and managing director at Accelent, Inc. for a dynamic panel discussion that will examine how firms across industries are adapting their hiring strategies through advanced technology and human capital intelligence.

This webinar is free to attend and is supported by Hunt Scanlon Media. There will be a live Q&A session, offering attendees the chance to ask questions and engage directly with the panelists.

Free registration … Click here to sign up!

Moderator

Alex Bates is the CEO of HelloSky. He has spent the last decade bringing artificial intelligence and knowledge management to the forefront of the industrial market. As an undergraduate he authored five peer-reviewed publications, performing DARPA-funded research in neural networks, as well as research in memory and computational diagnostics. Next, Mr. Bates jumped into the private sector, applying analytics on some of the world’s largest data warehouses at Teradata, a pioneer in big data technology. He was co-founder and CTO at Mtell, whose machine learning platform is used to monitor global fleets of industrial assets, effectively creating a distributed immune system to protect equipment and personnel. Mtell was acquired in 2016 by AspenTech, the global leader in process optimization software. In the two years following the acquisition of Mtell, AspenTech more than doubled its market cap, adding $4 billion of shareholder value. In June 2018, Barron’s highlighted AspenTech as one of the top three AI investments outside of FAANG (Facebook, Apple, Amazon, Netflix, Google). Mr. Bates is the lead inventor on three issued patents in machine learning & equipment taxonomies and received degrees in Mathematics and Computer Science, with a concentration in Neuroscience. His bestselling book, “Augmented Mind,” explores how the combination of AI with human intelligence — Augmented Intelligence — has revolutionary potential, and he is passionate about unlocking human capital to solve the world’s biggest problems.

Panelists

Jared Cohen is the chief operating officer of NU Advisory Partners. With a background in technology, finance, and law, he is an operational leader focused on the culture, systems, technology, and data that make companies great. Before joining NU, Mr. Cohen held executive or founding roles with several organizations, including NYCOO, InCred, Tempo, Kickstarter, and TeachersPayTeachers. He began his career in finance and then as an Associate at Willkie Farr & Gallagher, the New York law firm. He’s also been an advisor, coach, and investor at various startups.

Kirk Couser joined Bespoke as chief information officer in July 2021. He is a leader in the software and IT sector and has held executive roles in various industries. With over 20 years of experience, he is driven by a passion for utilizing technology to create efficiency and has built a proven track record of improving systems and programs for both internal and external clients. Mr. Couser has worked with start-ups to enterprise businesses, most recently co-founding and serving as president and CEO of a software firm providing scalable solutions for regulatory bodies. He is not only an inventor of technology, but also is very active in customer relationships and plays an instrumental role in strategic planning. Mr. Couser has worked with and led award winning teams, amongst being recognized with the Microsoft Healthcare Industry Leadership Award and the American Society of Quality (ASQ) Edwards Medal for the application of modern quality control methods.

John Boehmer is founder and managing director of Accelent, Inc. He has built his entire professional career around his passion for the technology industry. His extensive executive search experience and business building background has served hundreds of companies in the SaaS, internet and eCommerce sectors. Mr. Boehmer’s undeterred focus on execution excellence has generated a reputation for performance on even the most difficult assignments and a contact list 30 years deep. His clients have spanned from venture-back emerging and mature growth companies to larger private equity backed software firms. Mr. Boehmer has a vast array of experiences in technology and executive search. He has been a partner, principal and head of research at two of the world’s largest executive search firms, launched and built four boutique search and professional services firms; including one that was eventually acquired. Mr. Boehmer also led a global executive search capability inside a publicly traded Internet holding company. Most of his career has been as an entrepreneur and serving entrepreneurs. He has completed engagements across almost every function in an organization from the VP to the “C” level as well as members of the board of directors.