Leadership
Is AI Redefining Talent Acquisition in the Middle East?
Explore how AI is reshaping talent acquisition strategies and leadership priorities in the Middle East’s evolving workforce.
April 29, 2025
5 Priorities for Talent Leaders in AI Adoption
With the emergence of AI technology, there's a growing wave of hype and ambiguity. Talent acquisition leaders across the Middle East are increasingly being pushed by senior leadership to explore AI-powered solutions—particularly to scale hiring more efficiently. New tools and platforms are hitting the market at a rapid pace, many of them promising transformative results with minimal effort. But in the rush to innovate, talent leaders must remain cautious.
Iktimal Daneshvar, Vice President, Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) - MEA emphasizes the importance of a grounded approach: “If we look at AI technology, everyone wants it—it's still new, still shiny, and promises efficiency and cost savings. But for AI to be truly effective, organizations must ensure they have the right skills, infrastructure, and taxonomy in place.”
She notes that while the potential is exciting, organizations need to critically assess whether they are ready to adopt such technologies in a way that adds real value. Across the region, data compliance remains a key concern. AI solutions must align with local regulations, particularly around data storage and integration with existing applicant tracking systems. Without the proper foundations, the risks can outweigh the rewards—resulting in inefficiencies, compliance issues, and poor candidate experiences.
Top 5 Priorities for Talent Leaders in AI Adoption
- Assess Organizational Readiness
Ensure your team has the right skills, infrastructure, and data taxonomy to support and sustain AI tools effectively. - Understand Regional Compliance
AI solutions must meet data storage and privacy regulations in markets like Saudi Arabia and the UAE to avoid legal and operational risks. - Start with Strategy, Not Technology
Align AI adoption with your long-term talent strategy—technology should be an enabler, not the driver. - Keep the Human in the Loop
Hiring cannot yet be fully automated—human oversight remains critical for candidate experience and decision quality. - Take a Phased Approach
Hiring cannot yet be fully automated—human oversight remains critical for candidate experience and decision quality.
Looking Ahead
AI will undoubtedly continue to shape the future of talent acquisition, but as Daneshvar cautions, “We’re not at the point where hiring can be 100% automated without human intervention.” A strategic, phased approach is essential—one that starts with assessing internal readiness and gradually introducing AI capabilities where they make the most impact.
As competition for top talent intensifies across the Gulf, the organizations that adopt AI thoughtfully—not reactively—will be the ones best positioned to attract, engage, and hire talent at scale.
Need help designing a high-volume long term talent acquisition strategy? Connect with Korn Ferry to explore how RPO and automation can support your talent goals.
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