Talent Bytes - June 2024

Does ANYONE believe that AI isn’t going to have a fundamental impact on our lives???

The power of technology that I’ve seen transforming the TA space is mind blowing. Over the past 6 months, Instant Impact has appointed a new CRM HireSweet, Popp.ai providing responsible yet powerful AI at the frontend of our candidate journey, rolled out interview transcription with Metaview, launched our own internal conversational AI bot to increase transparency, and we’ve started to build a proprietary content engine.??

The pace of change is eye watering and we’re loving it. Imagine what’s happening behind the scenes at much larger companies with bigger tech budgets. It’s going to be very very interesting!??

Anyway – I hope you enjoy this month’s Talent Bytes.??

Thanks to my special guest Luke, the founder of Zinc for a fantastic demo-interview.??

Learning Bytes

AI and Automation: How Can Businesses Generate and Retain a Future-proof Workforce? HR News , June 2024?

• As AI changes the jobs we do, people are moving jobs more frequently??
• Talent Acquisition functions need to become more agile??
• AI can help to both speed up and improve the recruitment and onboarding experience??
• AI-driven training programs can significantly boost retention, preparing employees for future industry demands and improving morale.?
• My take: companies are still stuck in the reactive here, but we desperately need to get on the front foot. I haven’t seen solution that helps companies to work towards a clear vision of what their workforce is going to look like in the future. This would allow a more proactive approach to future-proofing your workforce (watch this space – we’re working on it)...??

With the EU AI Act incoming this summer, the bloc lays out its plan for AI governance , Tech Crunch, May 2024?

• The EU is establishing the AI Office under the AI Act, starting June 16, with full enforcement by the end of July.?
• The AI Office aims to regulate AI risks, foster innovation, and shape the European AI ecosystem.?
• It comprises five units: Regulation and Compliance, AI Safety, Excellence in AI and Robotics, AI for Social Good, and AI Innovation and Policy Coordination.?
• Key tasks include harmonizing enforcement across Member States, identifying systemic AI risks, supporting AI research, implementing AI projects for societal good, and executing the EU’s AI strategy.?
• My take: there is an old leadership adage ‘The behaviour you tolerate is the behaviour you encourage’. That’s as true for companies as it is for toddlers. Effective enforcement will be critical to ensuring a safe approach to AI.??

HR ‘unprepared’ for AI workforce revolution, Personnel Today , May 2024?

• 8 in 10 organisations have not provided AI training for employees.?
• Only a third of HR professionals feel they have grasped the full potential of AI tools.?
• Despite this, HR teams see potential in AI for tasks like administrative work (74%) and data analytics (59%).?
• CEOs in the UK and Ireland feel they are pushing AI adoption faster than some are comfortable with, with 63% stating that success with AI depends more on people's adoption than the technology itself.?
• My take: it seems that I’m in an adage mood today - ‘fail to prepare, prepare to fail’. Companies mustn’t underestimate how important it is to train their teams on new ways of working. Training is crucial.??

Silicon Valley in uproar over Californian AI safety bill, Financial Times , June 2024?

• California bill proposes strict safety framework for AI, including a "kill switch" for powerful AI models.?
• Proposed bill faces backlash from Silicon Valley heavyweights, including AI start-ups and tech giants.?
• Supporters of the bill emphasize the need for safety oversight in the rapidly growing AI sector.?
• This comes at a time where governments worldwide are taking steps to regulate AI, with similar initiatives in the US and UK.?
• My take: this sounds like a pragmatic way of mitigating the catastrophe scenarios and California has already shown itself to be a trendsetter when it comes to legislation. I’m sure we’ll see other states and countries following suit.??

Big Bytes

Zinc - Ever wished that background checks were quick and provided a slick user interface? Look no further! Zinc has built a global solution to making sure candidates are who they say they are.??

We Need To Talk About HR Podcast

Felix talks to Elin Filipp, CPO at Puzzle, about her efforts to transition the HR function from a support role to a strategic partner, focusing on empowering and coaching management for long-term success.

Need to know AI technology for recruitment

More AI tools to discover. To access the full list, click on the image below.

• Zinc - is an all-in-one, global background and reference-checking software that supercharges the capabilities of ambitious HR and hiring teams.

Thanks for reading this months edition of Talent Bytes, I hope you enjoyed it!

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