What are the best strategies for recruiting AI professionals?

It’s sometimes tempting to try to hire that perfect person who has all the skills that you need. I call this a unicorn hire. Unicorn hires can be very expensive and also challenging to retain. I promote what I call ‘unicorn teams’. Try instead to build a small team where the sum of the skills you want are present. It is likely these hires are more junior, and I would target growth minded people. With a following wind (and a good workplace culture) the team will learn from each other and you will grow yourself a team of unicorn hires!

The answer is multi-faced. It is a complex domain. There are not many unicorns in this area yet. But it would help if so-called 'AI experts' had a combination of technical, business and Governance skills. Technical skills are a no-brainer, but business acumen is equally essential. AI is not the silver bullet to solve every business problem, so how can a tech-savvy individual deliver the right AI solution? Using these advanced technologies elevates the importance of Governance, security, and privacy. Providing a state-of-the-art AI solution meeting business requirement can be very exciting. But if appropriate Governance, security, and privacy guardrails are not implemented, then the solution can create a disaster.

Defining your AI hiring needs is akin to setting the compass for your organization's technological journey. Whether seeking a generalist or specialist, a visionary or integrator, clarity on roles and goals streamlines the recruitment process. Recognizing the importance of collaboration and communication underscores that AI professionals not only possess technical prowess but also the ability to work harmoniously within teams. This thoughtful approach to defining AI roles not only enhances the effectiveness of hiring processes but also lays the foundation for building a cohesive and innovative AI team in the dynamic landscape of technology.

Hire AI pros with strong data management skills and creativity for innovative problem-solving. Seek those updated on AI tech and interested in the metaverse, showing commitment to learning. Prioritize a strong skill set, practical experience, and a track record of successful AI solutions. Focus on expertise in data management, creative problem-solving, up-to-date tech knowledge for a high-performing AI team driving innovation.

Primeiramente saiba quais s?o suas necessidades e metas. Parece óbvio, mas muitas empresas n?o constroem um roadmap ou mesmo n?o possuem um ranking de projetos mapeados e alinhados à estratégia. N?o fa?a IA por IA. N?o fa?a apenas o que a equipe técnica trouxe como "possível". Identifique projetos que gerem valor (ROI, Business case, etc). Após esta etapa, deve-se identificar recursos internos e externos para os projetos. Se está come?ando, conte com fornecedores para aumentar a velocidade da curva de aprendizado.

AI and Data Science teams within large corporations often face disillusionment when their projects stall at the Proof of Concept (PoC) stage without progressing to production. To attract top-tier AI professionals showcasing the organization's commitment to leveraging AI for tangible business outcomes is crucial. This commitment should be evident through dedicated resources, including investments in infrastructure budgets, specialized product and engineering teams, and clear executive-level leadership. By demonstrating a robust commitment to leveraging AI in business strategy, companies can instill confidence in AI professionals, assuring them that their expertise will play a pivotal role in driving the company's success.

To effectively attract AI talent, emphasize your organization's long-term vision and the significant role they will play in shaping the future of technology and the company. At Henkel we emphasize our purpose ?Pioneers at heart for the good of generations.“ and our commitment on sustainability - not only internally but also to help our customers to become more sustainable. This is complemented by highlighting how the work of our IT professionals will contribute to pioneering applications and ethical AI practices. Offer a pathway to be part of a legacy of innovation, beyond just competitive benefits and challenging projects. This approach not only draws in top professionals but also inspires dedication to your organization's enduring goals.

The best strategies for recruiting AI professionals involve defining your AI needs and goals, then showcasing your AI value proposition. Leverage AI-powered tools and tap into the LinkedIn community to identify candidates aligned with your objectives, creating a strong connection between your organization's needs and the skills of potential recruits.

To effectively recruit AI professionals, it's beneficial to demonstrate not just your commitment to AI, but also the groundwork you've already laid. Presenting a well-researched, data-backed vision, clear objectives, and a proof of concept (POC) can be more compelling than generic promises of innovation. This approach allows candidates to assess how they can contribute meaningfully from the outset, rather than starting from scratch. It shows them a tangible starting point for their potential role and impact, making your offer more concrete and attractive in a competitive market. #ai #artificialintelligence

Before recruiting, the existing team must have a very well defined scope in mind. It is important that the team knows what to expect from the final model, what they prioritise and a basic plan to get to that final model. This not only helps the recruiters have a clear picture of the ideal candidate, it also brings forward better applicants who are actually excited by the opportunity. Apart from this, AI being in a very fast paced stage of its growth, has a very high number of professionals constantly learning and evolving themselves. It is mostly very important to showcase the scope for their growth, learning and development. Many professionals prioritise working with a diverse team of like minded developers who can fuel their growth.

The demand for AI technology is growing exponentially, leading to a shortage of AI/ML experts in the market. A practical solution to meet your AI/ML expertise needs is to consider AI staff augmentation through outsourcing companies. With this service, vetted specialists from the outsourcing firm can quickly join your team and integrate seamlessly. The benefits of this option include: 1) immediate access to a diverse and experienced AI talent pool; 2) additional expertise and innovative ideas from the partner firm; 3) reduced staffing and project risks. 4) significant cost savings on salaries, insurance, equipment, and other benefits. My team has experience with this service, and I can affirm its effectiveness.

In my opinion, all current and future AI talents can potentially be found on LinkedIn. This includes emerging stars who might be discovered if one is active on the platform. It involves not only following very known figures like godfather of AI Geoffrey Hinton and his opponent Yann LeCun, but also engaging with well-known and niche players. Follow guys who are actively creating AI-related content and demonstrating a passion for this technology. Hire for attitude, knowledge can be taught.

Since AI is such a novel technology (especially deep learning) most talents are rather young or self-learners. Thus, I would go to technical meetups and try to network. The alternative is of course to look at platforms like LinkedIn, Github, Kaggle, and so on. Another good approach when looking for junior and academic talents is to check out the research institutes of universities.

One often overlooked strategy for attracting AI talent is to emphasize the unique challenges and innovative aspects of your projects in your recruitment materials. AI experts are frequently driven by intellectual curiosity and the desire to solve complex problems. Highlighting the novel, challenging aspects of your projects can attract candidates who are not just skilled but also passionate and genuinely interested in the work. This approach can help in creating a team that is not only technically proficient but also highly motivated and engaged with the project's vision, leading to better collaboration and innovation. #ai #artificialintelligence

This is new technology, so nobody is going to have 5-10 years experience in this area. People who are self-taught and are able to learn on demand would be great choices. Look for people who can build out rapid MVPs in order to test ideas quickly. There are many people like that out there, myself included, who enjoy challenges like this and thrive in such environments.

In addition to technical expertise, one of the most vital skills needed is "Resilience": - AI projects involve experimentation, recognizing that not every trial leads to success. It’s crucial for persisting through failures and iterations until a satisfactory solution is achieved. - Data serves as the foundation of AI, but in the real world, it’s filled with noise, missing values, and outliers. Handling these complexities and adjusting strategies based on data quality requires a flexible and resilient approach. - When dealing with complex models, interpretation can be black box. It is crucial to be resilient in communication, particularly when explaining complex AI concepts to non-technical stakeholders.

Just like how university teachings don't always equip students to be job ready, recruitment assessment lately have not been reflecting the actual scenario of the daily tasks and challenges of the job. Having assessment scenarios that emulate real life situations is a more reliable way to justify the competence of the candidate. This can be extrapolated for finding AI talents as well. Judging a book by it's cover isn't the most brightest approach, similarly, assessing AI skills with resumes or "technical interviews" shouldn't be the most effective way to finding AI talents.

If you are looking for software skills, hire a great dev, and give them the tools to be successful. AI is now one of those tools. Intensive training with AI is worth every penny and any motivated individual would find no trouble leveraging the technology. AI might not be on a persons resume, but that doesn't mean they can't learn, just find out if they are willing to learn.

In assessing AI candidates, it's crucial to balance technical acumen with soft skills and problem-solving abilities. Beyond resume screening and technical tests, consider integrating problem-solving scenarios that mimic real-world challenges. This approach tests not only technical skills but also creativity and adaptability. Additionally, incorporating team-based exercises can provide insights into a candidate's collaborative and communication skills. This comprehensive evaluation strategy ensures that candidates are not only technically proficient but also well-equipped to thrive in a team environment and tackle complex, real-world AI problems.

As an AI Product Leader, consider a scenario where the need is to enhance a fraud detection system. Implementing a comprehensive assessment approach, the initial phase involves resume screening to filter candidates based on foundational qualifications and relevant AI experience. Technical tests evaluate proficiency in fraud detection algorithms and machine learning. A real-world case study assesses problem-solving skills and adaptability to industry-specific challenges. Behavioral interviews then delve into collaboration and communication abilities. This holistic evaluation ensures that the selected AI professional aligns with the commitment to cutting-edge solutions and effective security measures in the financial domain.

AI is an ever evolving field and providing resources to keep up with the quickly changing landscape is important. Attract and retain the AI talent by providing resources to stay on top of the field such as access to journals , research papers, online courses, article and news subscriptions and society memberships.

An alle Unternehmen, die nach KI-Experten suchen: Es geht darum, die richtige Umgebung zu schaffen. Wir suchen nach Herausforderungen und Innovation. Zeigt uns Projekte, die uns fesseln und bei denen wir etwas bewirken k?nnen. Investiert in unsere Weiterbildung – Workshops, Seminare, alles, was uns hilft, am Puls der Zeit zu bleiben. Flexibilit?t im Arbeitsalltag ist ein Muss. Home-Office, flexible Arbeitszeiten – das unterstützt unser kreatives Schaffen. Und vergesst nicht: Ein anerkennendes Wort für geleistete Arbeit ist oft der beste Motivator. Mit diesen Ans?tzen k?nnt ihr Top-KI-Talente nicht nur gewinnen, sondern auch langfristig an euer Unternehmen binden.

Attract/ Retain Attracting and retaining top AI talent requires a strategic approach. Companies with focus on creating an environment that stimulates innovation and professional growth will be more successful. Beneficial to offer competitive compensation, continuous learning opportunities, and challenging projects to pique their intellectual curiosity. Foster a culture that values AI expertise and its impact on the business. For retention, engage professionals with clear career paths, recognition, and involvement in decision-making processes. Regularly update skills through workshops and conferences. Remember, the key is not just to attract, but to create an atmosphere where AI talent thrives and feels valued. Demand is increasingly high.

AI professionals value continuous learning. Provide access to advanced courses, workshops, and conferences. Support them in pursuing certifications and further education related to their field.

Focus on presenting a compelling mission that resonates, such as spearheading innovation, championing sustainability, promoting ethical AI, or accelerating scientific discovery. These are the goals that genuinely captivate and attract passionate professionals. Providing a clear path for continuous growth is also an essential motivator. Offer access to training, conferences, and opportunities to work on exciting projects. This is crucial for both junior and seasoned AI experts. In my experience, AI and data professionals thrive on solving complex problems. Ensure you present them with intriguing challenges, not mundane tasks. Stimulating work keeps the brightest minds engaged and committed.

Consider that you might need a re-org. While it’s true that most AI professionals are software engineers and data scientists, it’s becoming apparent that AI’s need creative guidance—especially when it comes to chatbots. Some of the best suited for guiding chatbot personas and behaviors come from marketing, linguistics, content marketing, and creative copywriting backgrounds. Borrowing hours from the marketing department will not be enough in 2024. Consider where non-technical AI professionals will sit in your organization and whom they will report to as you bring AI products and agents online. Ideally, marketers should be part of the core AI team because they understand user needs and know how to deliver information and value.

Apprenticeships can be a good way to upskill employees and recruit from within an organisation. In countries like the UK it is also possible to tap into the apprenticeship levy, which makes it attractive for all sides. Similarly, summer internships for university students can be a viable way to attract and recruit talent.

In my experience, AI professionals want to join companies that have a strong presence in this area. Hence, demonstrating thought leadership as a company, promoting current AI role models across events and paying above average will do the trick to get the right talent.

Get involved in conversations on Twitter, Reddit, Discord. Promote your products and hiring needs on top AI newsletters. People want to align themselves with brands that are active and engaged in the community. I'm also a member of a few AI Slack groups. Those would also be great places to recruit.

Forget traditional tactics! Snag top AI talent with laser-focused sourcing, like niche forums & hackathons. Ditch keyword soup; highlight real-world impact of your projects. Assess beyond resumes: hackathons, side projects reveal raw potential. Embrace diversity of backgrounds & perspectives - innovation thrives on it. Then, wow them with a culture of learning & ethical AI - not just ping pong tables. Retention? Mentor, challenge, and grant ownership of projects. AI minds crave impact, not stagnation. Invest in them, and they'll invest in you.