AI ‐Driven Recruitment in Industry 5.0: A Qualitative Study of Recruiter Perspectives and Process Redesign

This research examines the perspectives of recruiters and HR‐related academics on the integration of AI in recruitment within Industry 5.0 (I5.0), focusing specifically on how these perceptions shape the boundary between automated and human‐judgement‐dependent tasks in tacit knowledge identification. A qualitative method approach was adopted, combining insights from 10 semi‐structured interviews with recruiters and academicians, along with content and thematic analysis. The design thinking principles were applied, specifically the empathise phase, for the interviewers' perspectives, following the define phase, where a Recruiter Experience Journey Map (RXJM) was constructed. Finally, BPMN 2.0 was used to model both the AS‐IS (current state) and the TO‐BE state, which proposed an AI‐driven solution for recruitment. The results show that AI enhances efficiency in recruitment while allowing recruiters to focus on strategic competencies and tacit knowledge, aligning with knowledge management. Associated with I5.0, it emphasises a balanced collaboration between AI and human expertise, where technology supports decision‐making, and recruiters bring emotional intelligence to deliver a more empathetic and personalised experience. This paper presents a unique perspective on how the use of AI in recruitment suggests potential implications for organisational competitiveness and sustainability, which future research should test empirically. It emphasises how these benefits are achieved by leveraging design thinking and business process management approaches.