#40 - Why don't you just tell me the name of the movie you've selected?

I was reading Lance Haun's post this week about Klarna's AI “oopsie” (remember that one from last week’s Wrap?) and it got me thinking: how long until companies start charging us extra just to speak to a real, live human?

It feels like we’re slowly creeping toward a future where the first level of service is always a chatbot or automated process. You'd think that the chatbot or automation would make the process easier, and it does, for the companies, not the customers. The customers are stuck bagging their own groceries or scrolling through menu items trying to find the one thing their kid will eat (remember my fun times at the automated Burger King on the NJ Turnpike?).

We saw we're innovating, but we're just optimizing the amount of consumers who can enjoy the same broken experience. We’ve convinced ourselves that faster is better. Fewer humans means fewer headaches. But here’s the thing: sometimes people need people. Not a chatbot. Not a workflow. Not a decision tree that dead-ends in “Sorry, I didn’t get that.”

If we build for efficiency, not empathy, we're missing the point. Automation can handle transactions. It can’t build trust. It can’t calm an anxious candidate, answer a nuanced question, or make someone feel seen. Those moments—the human ones—are what people remember.

So as we keep layering on AI, let’s not forget the basics: Treat people right. Make it easy to get help. Because when everything else feels robotic, the companies that lead with empathy? They’re the ones that stand out.

Empathy for your customers isn’t a feature request. It’s the whole damn product.

Now let’s see who’s building it right—and who’s still letting the bots run wild…

This week's Wrap features a landmark AI bias case that will have ramifications across the industry, new products from Findem, Yello.co, and Glider AI; more funding for Awardco and Flo Recruit, Bullhorn expansion, hot takes from Brian Fink and Josh Bersin, a preview of Phenom's voice agent with Chris Russell, Walmart layoffs, and troubling signs for entry-level jobs, men's health and wellness, and the affordability of groceries.

Enjoy and have a great weekend!

Mike

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• June 17 – State of Seasonal, Hourly and Volume Hiring. From tools to trends, find out what it takes to win in high-volume hiring. Sponsored by Mitratech. Register here

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📰 What’s New in HR Tech

Because there is no such thing as a slow week

Findem unveils Next-Gen Talent CRM to Rethink Relationship-Based Recruiting

Findem just launched its next-generation Talent CRM built to help talent teams move beyond static pipelines and into truly relationship-driven hiring. Powered by AI and enriched data, the platform offers deeper candidate insights, smarter engagement, and automated workflows that adapt as hiring needs evolve. Read More

Yello says “hello” to campus recruiting with new app

Yello.co, the company, not the Swiss electronic band with the Oh YEah song, just launched Hello, a mobile app, not the Lionel Ritchie hit, designed to streamline campus recruiting events. From checking in candidates to collecting real-time feedback, the app helps recruiters manage high-volume interactions without losing the personal touch. It’s all about making campus events smoother, faster, and more engaging for both recruiters and students. Read More

Glider launches AI interviews

Glider AI just introduced Agentic AI Interviews, an automated interview solution designed to assess candidates objectively and at scale. The goal? To eliminate human bias and streamline the screening process. The tool uses AI-driven questions and real-time analysis to evaluate skills and cultural fit, promising a faster, fairer way to vet talent. Read More

💰 Funding and Acquisitions 🤝

Quick notes on fundraising and who's buying who

• Awardco raises $165M and joins the unicorn club – The employee recognition platform just secured a massive funding round, pushing its valuation past $1 billion. Read More

• Bullhorn secures expanded global deal with ManpowerGroup – The staffing giant is deepening its partnership with Bullhorn to scale automation and lay the groundwork for future AI innovation across its global operations. Read More

• Flo Recruit  raises Series A to expand its legal recruiting platform – The company is scaling its end-to-end solution for law firms and schools, aiming to modernize everything from OCI to lateral hiring. Read More

🗣️ Hot HR Influencer Takes

From the front lines of recruiting, tech, and transformation—here’s what the sharpest minds in HR are saying this week:

Put down the AI—Pick up the phone!

In his latest LinkedIn post, Brian Fink delivers a straightforward message to recruiters drowning in automation: stop hiding behind AI and start dialing. While tech can streamline sourcing, it can’t replace the human touch when building relationships. Preach! Read More

AI will partially replace HR, and that’s a good thing

HR Tech Oracle Josh Bersin writes that yes, AI will inevitably replace some HR functions, but that’s not necessarily bad news. Instead of fearing obsolescence, he argues that HR pros should embrace the shift, focusing on strategic leadership, culture building, and employee experience while letting AI handle repetitive tasks. Let the AI handle the mundane and use your extra time to focus on the strategy. Read More

Chris Russell gets a preview of Phenom's new agent

On his latest RecTech youtube video, Chris Russell gets a look at Phenom's new voice AI agent. Check it out above.

👆 Worth a Click

Work/Life news beyond product announcements

Walmart rolls back tech jobs

Walmart is laying off several hundred corporate employees and asking most remote tech workers to relocate to central offices in Bentonville, Hoboken, or the Bay Area. The retail giant says the move is about streamlining operations, but it also signals a shift from pandemic-era flexibility back to HQ-centric culture. Time to dust off those relocation packages. Read more

AI is wiping out entry-level jobs

A new opinion piece from The New York Times highlights a growing dilemma: AI is quietly eliminating entry-level jobs, and LinkedIn’s data confirms it. As companies automate routine tasks, they’re looking for “job-ready” candidates with experience, leaving recent grads and early-career professionals with fewer opportunities to gain skills. For early career professionals, the message is clear: you’ll need to focus on building practical skills and experience independently, as traditional first jobs may no longer be an option. Read More

Why are so many boys and men struggling?

Relationship therapist Terry Real explores why boys and men are floundering in today’s world and what it means for workplaces, relationships, and society at large. It's a great podcast that's worth the time. Listen Here

BNPL use Is climbing because people can’t afford the basics

A growing number of Americans are turning to "Buy Now, Pay Later" (BNPL) services not for splurges, but for everyday essentials like groceries and gas, according to new data. The rise in usage highlights the squeeze of inflation, stagnant wages, and a cost-of-living crisis that’s pushing financial stress into the mainstream. Read More

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