Debolina Bhattacharyya

Debolina Bhattacharyya is a seasoned talent acquisition expert with more than 14 years of experience across high-growth startups and Fortune 500s. She’s led recruiting transformations using technology that works—not just what’s trendy. Debolina is passionate about challenging the hype around AI in hiring and ensuring organizations build smarter, fairer, and more human-centred recruiting strategies. Whether she’s advising companies on AI tools, training recruiting teams, or reshaping candidate engagement journeys, she brings clarity and strategy to an often over-complicated space. Her mission? Equip hiring professionals with the tools and mindset they need to navigate the future of work with confidence.

Is AI really changing the way we hire—or are we being sold a fantasy?

The recruiting world is buzzing with talk about AI, automation, and smarter hiring tech. But how much of it is actually improving outcomes—and how much is just hype?

In this revealing episode of Talking with the Experts, Rose Davidson is joined by Debolina Bhattacharyya—an experienced talent acquisition leader who’s seen it all. With over 14 years working with startups and multinationals, Debolina brings a rare mix of insight, strategy, and candour.

Together, they explore the intersection of AI and recruitment, busting myths about what technology can really do for hiring. Debolina shares practical ways to implement AI thoughtfully, enhance candidate experience, and stay grounded in what really matters: people.

Expect real talk about:

• Why 97% of your audience isn’t ready to buy—or apply—and how to reach them
• The cost of chasing AI trends without clear ROI
• How to lead with ethics, relevance, and humanity in a tech-driven market

Whether you’re building your recruiting team, scaling your business, or refining your hiring funnel, this episode is packed with value.

✅ Three Key Takeaways

1. How to identify AI myths and focus on tech that delivers true value.
2. Why inclusive, human-first recruiting remains your best strategy—even in a tech-driven world.
3. A clear framework for evaluating and integrating AI into your hiring process.

Introduction to Debolina Bhattacharyya and the discussion topic

• Rose Davidson introduces Debolina Bhattacharyya as a seasoned talent acquisition leader with over 14 years of experience in recruiting.
• The discussion focuses on the AI revolution in recruiting, exploring the hype versus reality of AI in the recruitment process.

Debolina’s journey into AI in recruiting

• Debolina explains that AI is seen as the next big thing in various industries, with recruitment being significantly impacted.
• Debolina’s interest in AI in recruiting stems from the potential to improve efficiency and reduce turnaround time in the recruitment process.

Value of AI in the recruitment process

• AI helps reduce the turnaround time for both recruiters and applicants by filtering relevant resumes and providing immediate feedback.
• AI automates the interview scheduling process, allowing candidates to choose their availability and reducing the need for manual coordination.
• AI implementations in Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) automate various stages of the recruitment process, from offer to onboarding, ensuring clarity and reducing ambiguity.

Human element in AI-driven recruitment

• Debolina emphasizes that human interaction is crucial in the recruitment process, especially after the initial resume screening.
• Human touchpoints are necessary to build trust with candidates, provide feedback, and maintain a balance in the recruitment process.
• AI will enhance the recruitment process but will not replace the need for human resources functions.

Common myths and misconceptions about AI in recruiting

• A common myth is that AI will completely replace the recruitment industry, which is not true as human interaction remains essential.
• Organizations may have smaller, more compact teams due to automation, but this is a trend across various fields, not just recruitment.
• Upskilling and staying updated with trends are crucial for professionals to remain competitive in the evolving job market.

Evaluating AI tools for recruitment

• When evaluating AI tools, it is important to consider the degree of automation they offer and how it aligns with the organization’s budget and needs.
• Popular AI tools include Microsoft’s ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini, among others, which can help automate various tasks.
• Organizations should explore different AI tools to find the best fit for their specific requirements and automation needs.

Final thoughts on embracing AI in recruitment

• Debolina encourages professionals to accept and embrace AI in the market, emphasizing that it will not take away jobs but rather enhance them.
• Staying updated with trends and being proficient in one’s role is essential to thrive in an AI-driven environment.

• Debolina Bhattacharyya highlighted her journey and passion for integrating AI with human insight in talent acquisition.
• AI is discussed as a means to significantly reduce turnaround time in the recruitment process by filtering relevant resumes and automating interview scheduling.
• Debolina emphasized the necessity of maintaining human interaction in recruitment, especially post-shortlisting and before onboarding.
• Common myths about AI in recruitment, such as it completely replacing human interaction, were debunked.
• The conversation covered the importance of evaluating AI tools based on the degree of automation they offer and considering budget constraints.
• Debolina encouraged embracing AI, accepting its presence in the market, and staying updated with trends to remain relevant.

#AIinRecruitment #HiringTrends2025 #DebunkHRMyths #FutureOfWork #HRLeadership #TalentAcquisition #InclusiveHiring #TalkingWithTheExperts