By Don Sloan
Chief Information Officer, Prolink
With the recent innovations in generative AI and large language models (LLMs), AI is now more than just a tech-industry term—it’s for anyone with a smartphone and an Internet connection. But if you’re a health system looking to get in on the trend, it is important to go in ‘eyes wide open’. Like the cloud before it, AI has been lifted up as the “next big thing” in tech over the past few years. Those who believe the hype seem to be convinced that it’ll leave no industry un-disrupted.
Staffing is no exception. Ask anyone in the space, from IT leaders to recruiting managers on down, about the possibilities that AI brings to workforce solutions, and watch their eyes light up at the thought of automated interviews, a streamlined revenue funnel, and new efficiencies in the sourcing and vetting process.
While many of those innovations are already taking hold, I want to bring a more measured approach to the table. It might not be the most popular take at the moment, but I’ve seen tech trends come and go—and my advice is to aim before you shoot. Sure, AI has game-changing potential. But the truth is, it’s just a hammer, not the entire toolbox. And not everything is a nail.
AI Is Nothing New
AI is not a recent phenomenon. In fact, the staffing industry’s relationship with more traditional forms of AI technology dates back many years. We have long been leveraging machine learning algorithms to refine and improve recruiting processes. Predictive analytics, automated resume screening, and talent matching algorithms have already changed the way recruiters operate. That’s all AI! It’s not the brave new world that many imagine it to be. In fact, it could already be a part of your daily life in talent acquisition or recruiting.
What is new, however, is the rapid advancement of Generative AI (Gen AI) and its application in staffing. The popularity and widespread use of ChatGPT has catapulted AI into the mainstream. Suddenly, it’s not just IT leaders like me talking about AI’s potential. The “magic” of an advanced LLM that we can access anytime and anywhere has captured our imaginations. And for the record, I think that’s a wonderful thing. But before assuming that Gen AI is a game-changer in the staffing industry, we must take a step back and analyze whether it’s truly more effective than traditional approaches.
Don't Start with the Solution—Start with the Problem
Because of its newfound buzzword status, many organizations make the mistake of embracing AI without first understanding their challenges and opportunities. AI should never be the starting point—rather, the focus should be on identifying inefficiencies in your current processes and determining whether AI is the best solution.
For example, if your recruitment team struggles with time-consuming administrative tasks, AI-driven automation tools might help. But if your primary issue is building stronger relationships with healthcare professionals, AI alone won’t solve that problem. The key is to let business strategy guide technology decisions, not the other way around.
That’s where our team at Prolink comes in. We take a technology-focused approach to solving our client partners’ staffing challenges, but we don’t like to force round pegs into square holes. In other words, if you need a saw, we’re not bringing the AI hammer to the job. We have a wide array of tools that can help you accomplish your goals in an efficient and cost-effective way.
The Prolink Equation: Tech + People = Better Outcomes
At Prolink, we like to say that while technology brings the process, it’s the right people in the right place that bring the outcome. While AI can streamline many aspects of recruiting, it will enhance, but never replace, the human element that still makes up the core of the industry.
Staffing is built on trust, communication, and personal connections. Candidates and clients still value the expertise and empathy that only a human recruiter can provide. AI should be seen as an enabler—helping recruiter be more efficient, not replacing them. The best workforce strategies incorporate AI to enhance, not replace, relationships.
AI Is Here to Stay, But It Must Drive ROI
AI is not a passing trend; it’s here to stay. However, its adoption should always be guided by business value. If AI is not generating a tangible return on investment, whether through time savings, improved candidate experience, or better placements, it may not be the right fit.
At Prolink, we believe in a strategic approach to technology adoption. AI might be the right solution for your healthcare staffing needs, but it might not. Our expertise lies in helping organizations assess their challenges and determine the right technological solutions, AI or otherwise, to drive growth and efficiency.
AI can be for anyone, but that doesn’t mean it’s for you. The team of experts at Prolink can help you find the right technology for your staffing needs with our consultative, relationship-based approach. Click below to connect with our sales team and find your solution.
