I just got back from Avionté Connect 2025, and the buzz around AI was electric. Two sessions in particular stood out: Odell Tuttle’s keynote and Lauren Jones’s practical playbook for “supercharging your hiring with AI.” Here are my top takeaways for staffing leaders.
1. AI Won’t Take Your Job, But It Will Change It
Odell opened with a reminder that technology has always been transformative. He pointed to two examples once seen as disruptive: the 1913 moving assembly line, which didn’t eliminate jobs, it transformed them, and the 1967 ATM that didn’t shut down banks, but instead expanded their reach.
The same is true today. AI and automation are powerfully transformative and can multiply our reach and free us from repetitive, low-value tasks so we can focus on the work that truly requires a human touch.
But here’s the catch: companies that delay technology adoption are already feeling it with a 5% monthly revenue loss, 30–50% performance gaps, and increased talent attrition. Late adopters and laggards risk a real competitive disadvantage.
2. Data Is the Fuel and AI Is the Engine
In staffing, every decision starts with data. Odell called staffing data “the new oil,” but like oil, it needs refining.
- AI can’t fix bad data; it will only amplify it.
- Systems need to be in place to capture, clean, and connect your data before AI can drive value.
If you’re data isn’t ready today, the first step isn’t buying more technology investment; it’s building sustainable systems and processes that will support future investments.
This is where automation can play a huge role. For example, with Cartwheel, agencies can ensure the AR data powering their forecasts, models, and competitive analysis is complete, accurate, and up-to-date.
3. AI Needs to Be Built for Staffing, Not Bolted On
Odell’s checklist for AI in staffing works as a logical guide for any technology investment.
- Built from industry pain points
- Ethical by design
- Embedded, not bolted on
- Feels like an assistant, not a boss
This “embedded” approach is exactly how Cartwheel fits into staffing tech stacks, seamlessly connecting with ATS, VMS, and payroll systems so automation happens in the background without adding extra steps for your team or requiring an entire tech stack overhaul.
4. The Human + AI Equation
Lauren Jones brought the conversation down to the day-to-day level by showing us exactly how tools like Fyxer and Beautiful.AI are saving her hours every week.
Her challenge to agencies:
“AI will not replace you, but someone who knows how to use it will.”
Her roadmap for getting started:
- Policy: Define how your organization will use AI.
- Educate: Train your teams on responsible usage.
- Enable: Give people access to the right tools.
She also highlighted the shifting workplace priorities post-COVID, where belonging is now a bigger driver than the job itself, set against the backdrop of a shrinking available workforce.
This is where automation can bridge the looming gap, allowing smaller teams to handle larger volumes of work without sacrificing quality. For example, Cartwheel customers use our automation to eliminate manual AR tasks, which frees not only back office teams from time-consuming processes but recruiters and sales teams who often have to follow up when payment is past due, allowing them to focus on relationship-building and revenue generation.
The Big Picture
AI in staffing isn’t a “someday” conversation; it’s here, and it’s accelerating. As with any tech cycle, it has early adopters, early majority, late majority, and laggards. What’s already clear is that technology adoption is quickly separating the agencies that thrive from the ones that lag behind. The winning formula? 1) Clean, connected data, 2) AI and automation tools embedded in daily workflows, and 3) Humans leading with strategy, empathy, and expertise
I left Avionté Connect energized and convinced that AI and automation won’t replace staffing pros; it will elevate them and help them set the pace for a new industry standard.
Curious about how you can leverage accounts receivable automation to support your strategic growth goals and streamline your back office? Book some time with me!
Interested in seeing how the Avionté and Cartwheel integration can support the growth of your business? Check out our on-demand webinar with Jason Smith, Director of Avionté+. Watch Now!
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