In today's fierce battle for talent, smart rewards have become a crucial factor in attracting and retaining the right people. While compensation and benefits remain important, organisations are increasingly looking beyond traditional methods to offer meaningful experiences, growth opportunities, and personalised incentives that resonate with diverse talent pools.

At the same time, AI is revolutionising the traditional hiring process. Technology has made recruitment more cost-effective and efficient, significantly improving the quality of hires. However, industry experts agree that the human touch remains irreplaceable. The final decision — understanding a candidate’s potential, cultural fit, and aspirations — still relies heavily on human interaction and empathy.

People Matters spoke to HR leaders to gain insights into how they are approaching recruitment in the age of AI and the critical role of rewards in attracting and retaining talent. Watch the video here:

From Selling Careers to Curating Experiences

Historically, organisations sold the idea of long-term careers to prospective employees. But with work becoming increasingly project-based and skill-driven, the concept of a linear career path is becoming obsolete. Today, companies are instead curating experiences—designing each touchpoint from onboarding to impactful contribution—to make employees feel valued and inspired.

“A key strategy is enhancing the professional value of talent. By offering continuous learning, exposure to cross-functional projects, and growth opportunities, companies signal to employees: “Work with us, and your market worth will rise.”

“Additionally, job variety and cross-genre exposure are being used to spark engagement, especially among younger talent. Experiences that take employees beyond their comfort zones—be it across functions, geographies, or business units—are increasingly valued,” says Abhay K. Srivastava, CHRO, IKS Health.

Managing a Multigenerational Workforce

Today's workforce is a blend of generations—each with distinct expectations. Veteran employees may find fulfillment in recognition, promotions, and steady compensation. Meanwhile, mid-career professionals seek growth through challenging assignments, and younger workers want meaning and purpose embedded in their roles.

“This diversity necessitates a tailored talent strategy, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. Organisations must balance the needs of all cohorts while staying aligned with their core values. Listening, adapting, and evolving are essential to staying relevant in a dynamic employment landscape,” says Santana Ramakrishnan, Chief Human Resources Officer, ZEISS India.

AI in Recruitment: A Partner, Not a Replacement

Artificial Intelligence has become integral to modern recruitment. While early AI tools focused on eliminating unsuitable candidates, today's models are more sophisticated—predicting candidate success and improving hiring quality.

However, recruitment remains deeply human. Culture, empathy, and context play crucial roles in making the right hiring decisions. AI can enhance efficiency and objectivity—screening resumes, anonymising data to reduce bias, or facilitating virtual interviews—but it cannot replace the storytelling, aspiration-mapping, and personal connection that define great hiring experiences.

For Rajita Singh, Chief People Officer, Kyndryl, AI in recruitment is like Google Maps — it gets you close, but you still need to read the directions, look around, and sometimes roll down your window to ask for help. “AI enhances the process, not replaces it. It’s brilliant at identifying patterns, screening resumes, and speeding up initial stages, but hiring truly happens in a conversation — that’s where culture, intent, and human connection come in."

Singh emphasises that recruitment is not just as filling a role, but as casting a play. “You're looking for someone who brings empathy, presence, and purpose to the table. AI can help shortlist, but it can’t sense what makes someone pause, what lights them up, or how they hold the room. That’s where human judgment matters."