AI that expands opportunity instead of filtering it out

Spotlight is our series on the people shaping the future of hiring and talent. We ask them how they work, what they believe, and where AI actually helps.

This time we spoke with Hetal Parikh, who co-founded Rangam on the belief that empathy drives innovation.

Thirty years later, she's still building workforces that reflect the world we actually live in.

What would "humane AI" in hiring look like to you?

Humane AI starts with a simple principle: technology should expand opportunity, not restrict it. For decades, hiring systems have filtered out talented individuals, candidates with non-linear careers, people returning to the workforce, or neurodiverse individuals whose strengths don't show up on a resume. Humane AI can help change that, by focusing on skills and potential rather than past titles or pedigree.

Organizations must design AI with three principles in mind. Transparency, to help candidates understand how technology is used in hiring decisions. Fairness, to continuously monitor models to ensure they don't reinforce historical bias. Empowerment, to help candidates prepare, learn, and improve their chances of success.

The goal of AI should not simply be efficiency. It should be better hiring decisions and broader access to opportunity. When designed thoughtfully, AI can help build workforces that are more capable, more innovative, and more representative of the world we live in.

How can AI make recruiters better, not just faster?

AI should elevate recruiters into strategic talent advisors, not replace them. Recruiting has long been measured by speed, time-to-fill and volume. But the future of hiring is about making better decisions about people, not just moving faster.

AI helps in three ways. First, it expands visibility. Keyword searches often miss strong candidates, but AI can identify transferable skills and surface talent others overlook. Second, it helps candidates compete through resume tools, interview preparation, and skill insights. Third, it gives recruiters deeper insights into role alignment, freeing them from administrative work to focus on advising.

At Rangam, we see AI as a tool that removes friction so recruiters can focus on what humans do best, judgment, empathy, and relationship building. The best recruiters won't be replaced. They'll become more strategic and more impactful.

What skill has mattered more than you expected in this line of work?

The skill that has mattered most is listening. Organizations often come with a request for talent, but when you listen closely, the challenge is usually much broader. Companies may be struggling with workforce planning, evolving skill requirements, or rethinking how they access talent.

That insight is what allows staffing partners to move beyond transactional recruiting and become strategic advisors. The best solutions rarely come from filling positions faster. They come from understanding the intersection of business strategy, workforce trends, and human potential.