LISTEN: https://www.thepozcast.com/507
Live from UNLEASH 2026, Adam sits down with Jess Von Bank for a thought-provoking and at times provocative conversation on AI, transformation, and the future of work. Jess began her career as a full-desk executive recruiter, specializing in highly niche, hard-to-fill roles in pharmaceutical and clinical research—long before modern sourcing tools existed. Her foundation in true “old school” recruiting—research, persistence, and deep human understanding—anchors her perspective today. At the center of this conversation is a critical distinction most organizations are missing: AI is not transforming work. It’s scaling whatever already exists. And that’s the problem. Jess challenges the current “AI land grab,” in which companies are rushing to layer automation onto broken or outdated processes rather than rethinking how work should be done altogether. In her view, most organizations are simply doing the same work faster—not better—and leaving massive value on the table.
Jess offers a striking metaphor for the current moment: We are “building the Titanic in plain sight”—creating powerful systems while fully aware of the risks, yet continuing forward without fully addressing them. At the same time, she brings a grounded sense of optimism. AI is accelerating the breakdown of outdated systems—forcing necessary conversations about education, workforce development, and how we prepare people for the future. This episode is less about tools—and more about thinking differently.
Connect with Jess: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessvonbank/
These episodes of #thePOZcast, live from Unleash 2026 in Las Vegas, are proudly brought to you by our friends at PIN. AI recruiting tools that automate candidate sourcing, screening, and scheduling across 850M+ profiles. Built for recruiters, agencies, and hiring teams.
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