Talent Bytes - November 2024

Hello, November readers! ???

It’s time for another roundup of the latest in recruitment, HR, and tech - where AI takes the stage (again) and Meta keeps doubling down on, well, everything. From LinkedIn’s shiny new AI Hiring Assistant to Meta’s futuristic touchy-feely robots (yes, really), there’s plenty to unpack this month.?

But it’s not all about the big players. We’re also spotlighting a start-up shaking up PeopleOps, celebrating the first anniversary of our We Need to Talk About HR podcast, and asking some big questions: how much automation is too much in HR??

Let’s dive in - because the future of work isn’t going to wait for us...??

Learning Bytes

?? LinkedIn's New AI Hiring Assistant: Helping Recruiters Work Smarter, Not Harder (Inc. Oct 30)

LinkedIn’s got a fresh AI trick up its sleeve (I hope it’s better than the content contribution debacle), and it's got recruiters all hot under the collar! This time, it’s launched the Hiring Assistant, an AI agent built to handle the tedious bits of recruiting so HR teams can focus more on people and less on paperwork. Unlike basic chatbots, this AI agent doesn’t just respond to questions, it actually performs tasks, like drafting job descriptions and shortlisting candidates, all on its own.??

Key Points:?

• Hiring Assistant can handle everything from creating job descriptions based on scrappy notes to building a pipeline of qualified candidates. It even drafts initial outreach and answers basic applicant queries.?

• This tool, now in testing with select companies (like AMD, Canva, and Siemens), is part of LinkedIn’s move towards automation, following a push earlier this year to integrate AI across its platform.?

• LinkedIn aims for the tool to be fully rolled out after testing, making it a time-saver for recruiters at each step—from the first job post to the interview stage.?

My Take:?

This AI tool could be a real game-changer for recruiters, especially when juggling multiple roles or trying to speed up the hiring process. It’s a clever move by LinkedIn to stay relevant in the AI-driven job market, but there’s a bigger question here: as AI agents get smarter and more independent, how far will automation go in recruitment? It’s a development worth watching, particularly for those of us in HR and TA—it could mean big changes in how we source and screen candidates!?

?? Meta Bets Big on AI and Infrastructure Investments (Fortune, Oct 31)

Meta ’s going big on AI and infrastructure! The company’s just announced it’s ramping up its 2024 spending targets to a hefty $38–$40 billion, with a lot of that cash earmarked for AI. On an earnings call, CEO Mark Zuckerberg emphasised that serious AI investments are non-negotiable if Meta’s going to stay in the game. So, what does that look like? Well, think more advanced versions of its Llama model and tech upgrades to keep users scrolling just a little longer on Facebook and Instagram.?

Key Points:?

• Meta is putting billions into its AI infrastructure, betting big on tools like Llama to push its AI strategy forward.?

• AI is doing more than just crunching numbers here—it’s helping predict what content users want to see, which boosted time spent on Facebook by 8% and Instagram by 6%.?

• Even with strong Q3 revenue and profit, Meta’s massive investment plans and hiring sprees seem to have investors a bit on edge.?

My Take:?

Meta’s massive bet on AI is bold, no doubt about it! It makes sense, though—more time on Facebook and Insta means more ad revenue, and if AI can deliver that, great. But here’s the kicker: all this spending means there’s a lot riding on those AI promises actually paying off. For now, it’s fascinating to watch as Meta doubles down on tech, and it’s definitely one for HR and TA pros to keep tabs on, especially with the increasing demand for AI and infrastructure expertise.?

?? Meta's Next Move: Touchy-Feely AI with New Tactile Sensors (Tech Crunch)

Meta’s taking AI into the world of touch, teaming up with sensor company GelSight and South Korea’s Wonik Robotics to bring advanced tactile sensors to market. These aren’t gadgets for everyday use, though—they’re built for scientists aiming to push the boundaries of how AI interacts with the physical world.?

Key Points:?

• Meta’s Digit 360, developed with GelSight, is a next-gen “fingertip” sensor with human-level touch capabilities. This sensor uses 18 features to pick up fine details, like heat, texture, vibrations, and even odours. Perfect for AI to really feel what’s around it.?

• Researchers can apply for early access to Digit 360, which will officially be available for purchase next year. It’s designed to help AI learn about the world with the same detail we humans use.?

• Wonik’s Allegro Hand, also dropping next year, is a robotic hand with the new Digit 360 sensors. Meta developed a system that combines the sensor data into a single stream, making it easier for AI to handle objects with a level of finesse previously reserved for humans.?

My Take:?

It’s exciting to see Meta stepping up to make AI – literally -? more hands-on! These tactile sensors could make AI research much more dynamic, with huge potential for fields like robotics and healthcare. This is very early days and it’s a long way off being mainstream but serious progress here is now just a matter of time. Very exciting...??

Big Bytes ?

We’re shaking up this section of the newsletter from December, with interviews and insights shared by our in-house tech legend Jessica Morgan MSc ! Keep your eyes peeled for some really cool changes in the coming months...

??I recently sat down with Jeet Mukerji , co-founder of Kinfolk , to talk about how he’s making life easier for HR teams. Jeet and his team have designed Kinfolk to tackle the soul-sucking side of PeopleOps: repetitive tasks, endless spreadsheets, and admin chaos. Their platform aims to put the “people” back in PeopleOps by automating the heavy lifting so teams can actually focus on, well, people.?

Here’s what Kinfolk is all about:??

They’ve built a platform with “runbooks” (think smart playbooks) that handle everything from onboarding to promotions. These runbooks are tailored to each employee’s specific needs, making the whole HR process more personalized and way less of a headache.??

The AI assistant on Kinfolk also fields routine questions, saving HR pros from a flood of “How do I book time off?” messages. It even tracks trends in employee requests, so HR can spot recurring issues and tweak things as needed.?

Check out the video to learn more!?

We Need To Talk About HR Podcast?

?? Our podcast turned 1 last week!?

This week marks one year since we launched We Need to Talk About HR! With 50 episodes under our belt, we've unpacked topics from toxic cultures to organisational happiness, hosted amazing guests, and even took the show on tour to NYC!?

Check out our anniversary special with Kerri O’Neill below.

Need to Know Technology for Recruitment??

Check out the latest AI tools generated by our talent community just for you!

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