#108 - Are You Buying AI or Actually Using It?

In Episode 108 of The HR Morning Show, hosts Ron Fish and Mike Peditto explore what it takes to make AI work in hiring and across HR, beyond simply buying the technology. A new iCIMS study, the 2026 Talent Transformation Yearbook, surveyed 500 HR and talent leaders and found that organizations put only about half of their purchased AI capabilities into production. Companies that invest in training, clean data, management support, and clear processes report stronger results, including faster hiring and better retention. But candidate trust remains a challenge: only 32% of job seekers who believed AI evaluated their applications said employers clearly disclosed its use. Are companies preparing their people and processes, or buying new technology and hoping for the best? We’ll also look at how AI is moving beyond recruiting into talent management, workforce planning, and performance management. As AI agents work alongside contractors and full-time employees, who oversees them, what are they allowed to do, and when should their access be removed? Meanwhile, AI-generated applications are flooding the hiring process, making it harder to find genuinely qualified candidates, and employers are reporting significant applicant fraud. Plus, Nintendo has opened applications for its 2027 Summer Internship Program, which raises the question of whether companies are doing enough to invest in young talent before they enter the workforce. We’ll also preview upcoming events, including ERE in San Diego (Nov 9 to 11), TA Week in San Diego (Feb 1 to 4), and Transform in Las Vegas (April 12 to 14). Mike Peditto sits down with Peter Phelan of ValuesCulture for a lighter look at the role of humor in HR. Peter shares why laughter can build trust and strengthen culture, how a company’s values show up in everyday moments, and how HR can take its work seriously without taking itself too seriously. Trent Cotton welcomes Tracey Lovejoy of Catalyst Constellations for Talk Nerdy with iCIMS to discuss the “Transformation at Speed” report, including what surprised executives most, the three patterns that quietly derail transformation, and why AI has become a mirror for how organizations really work. We’ll wrap up with a look at the guest conversations and the questions HR leaders should be asking right now. The HR Morning Show is presented by CalendarPA.com, with thanks to Talent Tech PR. Join us every Tuesday, follow Purple Acorn on LinkedIn, and find The HR Morning Show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you listen to podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices