The AI-for-recruiting boom has been dominated by startups promising to automate the hiring process with slick tools and buzzy language. But according to The Talent Studios, most of those platforms miss the mark because they’re designed by technologists who stumbled into HR, not by recruiters who’ve lived it. Their answer: Determined People™, an AI-powered cognitive engine purpose-built to give talent leaders what they’ve been missing—precision, scale, and a dose of actual recruiting logic.
A Recruiter’s AI, Not Just Another Tech Startup’s
Jeremy Cohen, CEO and co-founder of The Talent Studios, doesn’t mince words about the AI talent-tech landscape. “We’ve seen countless startups pitch us AI recruitment tools, but they were built by engineers first, not recruiters,” he said. “They don’t solve for the nuance only search consultants and HR teams know from decades in the trenches.”
Instead of relying solely on large language models (LLMs) trained on generic data, Determined People™ draws on nearly two decades of validated executive search methodology. The system blends mixed-model LLMs, long context windows, and the firm’s own analog search processes to identify, assess, and select candidates with enterprise-grade reliability. In theory, that means clients get the speed and scale of AI—without the “black box” trade-offs that plague many competing platforms.
From Art to Science
Co-founder Kelli Telling brings a unique perspective, having started her career in data architecture before spending twenty years in executive search. She argues that most AI recruitment products narrow candidate pools but lack transparency in how decisions are made. “Much of what makes Determined People™ unique is its ability to distill a client’s business into core attributes and project those into the marketplace to instantly target organizations and candidates,” she explained.
Beyond sourcing, the platform also leans into real-time assessment of psycho-social signals during interviews and case simulations—an area where many recruitment AIs still fall short. The result, says Telling, is an engine that doesn’t just spot talent but evaluates it with the rigor of a seasoned recruiter.
Changing the Rules of the Talent Game
The pitch is ambitious: turn recruitment from an art into a science. That means arming not just veteran headhunters but also early-career recruiters, HR teams, and even investors with tools that replicate decades of recruiting expertise at scale. Cohen and Telling frame Determined People™ as more than a competitive advantage—it’s a way to “change the rules of engagement” in the war for talent.
The rollout is slated for late 2025 into early 2026, putting The Talent Studios on a collision course with the growing list of AI-first recruiting tools. But unlike rivals who lead with algorithms, the company is betting its human-first, recruiter-led DNA will resonate with enterprises tired of overpromises and underdelivered platforms.
Why It Matters
The launch lands at a critical moment. Enterprises are facing rising pressure to fill specialized roles faster while navigating an increasingly skeptical workforce. Meanwhile, investors are scrutinizing hiring pipelines as closely as financials. Determined People™ positions itself as a “trustable” AI recruitment partner—enterprise-grade, battle-tested, and built on the judgment of people who have lived the hiring gauntlet.
If The Talent Studios can deliver on its claims, Determined People™ could mark a shift in how agentic AI is deployed in HR tech: less hype, more context, and a clear nod to the human expertise that most algorithms quietly sideline.
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