Gartner identified three macro trends in recruiting technology that HR leaders need to address in 2024.

The first is the shifting conversation around generative AI. Human resources and recruiting leaders are now actively determining where AI is applicable and which use cases make sense for organizations, according to Gartner.

“While AI has become widespread in recruiting, generative AI is not at the same level of applied maturity in the recruiting process,” Emi Chiba, principal analyst in the Gartner HR practice, said in a press release. “In 2024, we expect generative AI use to continue increasing, particularly to draft job descriptions, candidate communications and even interview questions.”

Ethics is also coming into focus as the second macro trend. Organizations are looking at the ethics of AI, while the regulatory uncertainty of this year will likely persist and intensify in 2024 as more laws are enforced.

“Despite increasing regulations, organizations will continue to lean into generative AI,” Rania Stewart, senior director analyst in the Gartner HR practice, said in a press release. “As organizations experiment more with AI, HR leaders must hold their AI vendors co-accountable while maintaining attentiveness.”

The third macro trend: Elongated buying cycles for tech talent this year should cause HR and recruitment leaders to increase their scrutiny of the business case for talent acquisition tech.

The concern is that longer buying cycles may cause vendors to resort to hastily pulled-together new products that they've rushed to market to maintain their bottom lines.

Gartner noted the increased scrutiny can, in turn, lengthen buying cycles further. HR leaders must consider their priorities, how they will measure success and hard versus soft requirements.