From Hype to Readiness: Making AI Practical for Talent Leaders

In Episode 45 of Impact at Work, Alastair Schirmer, Global Head of Digital Innovation at Randstad Enterprise, joins David Macciocca and Jo Vohland to unpack the realities of AI in the talent space.

Alastair draws on more than two decades in HR tech and now leads global digital strategy at one of the largest HR and staffing companies in the world. His message is clear: AI will not make a meaningful difference until talent leaders shift their focus from tools to readiness.

The challenge isn’t the tech. It’s the change.

Alastair starts by framing the real barrier to impact.

“Everyone’s focused on AI, but really it’s change that’s flowing through. That’s actually the big area of discussion.”

He explains that while there’s pressure from the top to adopt AI and drive efficiency, many of these efforts are missing the mark.

“There is extensive board-level and C-level sponsorship to push efficiency gain and cost reduction through AI. But it’s actually not bearing a huge amount of fruit.”

Why AI experiments are falling flat

Many companies are rushing into AI adoption without clear strategic alignment. Alastair sees this everywhere.

“There’s very much a push to go fast and experiment quick, but not with a lot of focus around where it’s actually impacting from a business strategy point of view.”

Instead of tying AI initiatives to long-term transformation, teams often focus on isolated admin processes.

“It’s pain points that are more process-focused, largely administrative. That’s seen as the low-hanging fruit.”

The result? Small pilots and short wins, but little organisational change.

“It’s not having the impact they thought it would have. Most people in the organisation aren’t connected or aware of how it’s going to genuinely impact where the business is trying to go.”

Strategy before software

The companies seeing real progress with AI aren’t just automating tasks. They are reimagining the way they work.

“To get where we want to go, we need to reimagine the way in which we’re actually doing work.”

This shift requires more than budget or tech. It calls for clarity of purpose, cultural alignment, and shared accountability across functions.

Alastair emphasises the importance of not treating AI as a standalone innovation project. It must be integrated into business priorities.

Practical advice for getting started

For teams that feel overwhelmed or unsure how to begin, Alastair offers a grounded starting point: go back to basics.

“It’s about understanding what work you do, how that work gets done, and who it impacts. Then asking if technology can make that work better.”

Rather than chasing every new tool, he recommends building frameworks that support sustainable adoption over time.

“It’s not just about adopting AI. It’s about preparing your operating model to actually scale it.”

Final thoughts

AI has the potential to transform how talent teams operate, but only if it is implemented with intention. As Alastair puts it, readiness will matter more than speed.

This episode offers a refreshing perspective for leaders who want to move beyond hype and build a foundation for long-term, human-centred innovation.

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