Johnny Sanchez, Head of Talent Operations at Rivian, cuts through the hype about AI in recruiting and gets candid about what recruiters really need to know.
Johnny Sanchez has no interest in predicting the future. At the Recruiting Innovation Summit, he made it clear that futurism is mostly guesswork. Instead, Sanchez focused on what's happening right now in recruiting and why talent leaders must approach AI thoughtfully.
No One Really Knows What’s Next – and That’s the Point
While everyone at recruiting conferences talks about what's coming, Sanchez points out how quickly AI is changing, making predictions almost meaningless.
“We genuinely don’t know what’s next,” Johnny said. “The reality is AI is moving faster than anyone’s playbook. Recruiters are scrambling to keep up, and that’s the truth we need to face.”
According to Sanchez, the uncertainty around AI isn’t something to fear but to embrace. It means recruiting teams must stay agile, learn quickly, and be ready for surprises.
AI Tools Have Gotten More Personal, Fast
Sanchez shared his personal experiences with AI, noting that tools have become significantly easier for non-tech recruiters to use. What once required intensive engineering support is now accessible through simple interfaces, APIs, and user-friendly platforms.
“Two years ago, building even basic AI models required deep technical knowledge,” Johnny explained. “Now you can just access these tools directly through apps or APIs, with almost zero technical background.”
He also highlighted how AI interactions have become surprisingly personal and intuitive. Recruiters and candidates alike are engaging with these tools more naturally, changing how people think about technology.
Recruiting Will Never Be Completely “Ready” for AI
Sanchez stressed that recruiters have always operated reactively. Technology shifts like AI won't change that entirely. Instead, talent acquisition teams need to accept that they'll always be catching up to some degree.
“Recruiting has always been reactive,” he noted. “From Leonardo da Vinci's first résumé to LinkedIn profiles, we’ve never really been fully prepared for what's next. AI is no different, except it moves faster.”
He argues that recruiters need to focus less on being completely ready and more on quickly adapting as changes happen.
Conferences Are Essential for Real Conversations (and Real Talk)
One clear takeaway from Johnny’s session is the value of real, in-person conversations. While many discussions around AI focus on abstract predictions, conferences provide a crucial reality check.
“The real benefit of events like this isn't just ideas or theories,” Johnny said. “It’s having honest conversations with people who see things differently. That’s how you actually evolve your thinking.”
Johnny believes conferences keep talent leaders grounded in the practical realities of recruiting, rather than floating in vague futurism.
Futurism is Guesswork, Not Strategy
Sanchez openly questioned the value of futurism as a reliable way to navigate recruiting trends. Too often, he said, recruiters rely on guesswork and assumptions rather than actionable strategies.
“Predicting the future is easy—but getting it right is rare,” he explained. “Recruiters shouldn’t put much stock in big predictions. It’s better to acknowledge uncertainty and focus on agility instead.”
He suggested recruiting leaders prioritize practical actions they can take today over uncertain long-term forecasts.
Innovation Isn’t a Luxury, It's Survival
Sanchez concluded by emphasizing innovation as critical to recruiting success. He argues innovation shouldn't be viewed as an optional or luxury item. Instead, it's essential for survival in a rapidly changing recruiting environment.
“Innovation isn’t something you get to when you have extra time,” Johnny said. “If you’re not innovating now, you're already falling behind. This is especially true with AI. It’s not coming someday, it’s here.”
Johnny Sanchez’s candid insights highlight an important reality for talent leaders: Recruiting isn’t about perfectly predicting the future. It's about staying adaptable, embracing real conversations, and treating innovation as essential for survival.
This article is part of Chatterworks’ exclusive series, capturing real insights from talent leaders at the Recruiting Innovation Summit.
As the right hand to many founders, Shafiur has made operations the secret weapon for many startups. He has built the operational infrastructure and held prominent leadership roles for several companies, including Airbus Aerial, Specright, Connectifier (Acquired by LinkedIn Feb' 16), and Airware. Decades of broad exposure have taught Shafiur which levers make each functional area work and how they must be coordinated for a startup to succeed.
