MOATS: protecting the spaces for TA & HR functions

featuring:  Ben rutter, Co-founder @ bond  + christina harris, managing partner @ bond

location: boston

Ben and Christina walk the streets of Boston discussing the key areas that TA, HR and People leaders should be keeping a close eye on:

1.    AI Revolution

Are we as leaders potentially sleepwalking into an AI revolution?

Those in TA functions with zero AI capabilities will be left behind, and those who think AI is the answer to everything will likely fail. People leaders need to spend time understanding and testing AI tools across their function to figure out what the perfect blend of AI and Human actually is.

AI won’t be the answer for everything!

Remember: Where you choose NOT to deploy AI will be just as powerful as where you choose to deploy it!

2.     Building deeper & wider MOATS

TA functions are often viewed as being transactional & disposable.

It is our job as TA leaders to build wider and deeper MOATS, to deliver unquestionable value in what we do.  We have to find a way to operate across the broader Talent function. Building talent strategies that provides unquestionable value.

TL;DR: 

↳ Focus on building deeper & wider MOATS in TA to provide unquestionable value.
↳ AI won’t be the answer for EVERYTHING. Test, Test, Test before you roll out AI.
↳ Success lies in mastering the optimal blend of human and AI capabilities

Predicting the future is challenging but it is an exciting place to be.

What are you focusing on in 2025/2026?

MOATS: Moments that Matter

What is the perfect blend of Human & AI? 

Creating human to human experiences is fundamental when hiring world-class talent. Not how much AI you’ve got in your stack.

Unlocking the ‘moments that matter’ across the hiring journey will set you apart.

Listen to Bens short videos below where he shares his take on some of these defining pillars:

↳ Sourcing

↳ In-bound applications

↳ Talent Management and development

MOATS: Future TA function

What impact could AI have on TA in 5-10 years?

Listen to Bens short videos below where he shares his take on some of these defining pillars:

↳ Part 1 : All bets are off

↳ Part 2: Self serve Hiring Manager