People are discussing movies (you know which ones), but in the background, members of the U.S. actors’ union SAG-AFTRA are on strike. Like nearly everything today, it’s a situation where artificial intelligence has come into the conversation: AI reproductions of an actor’s likeness raise the question of who receives payment for it, creating one of the strike’s pressure points.
Meanwhile, some members of the Writers Guild of America are also on strike, and one of the reasons is that writers are concerned that AI is a threat to their livelihood.
All Americans are reading headlines about the role of AI in our daily lives, and these recent strikes are continuing to spotlight the issue, which is certainly a concern for employers. However, a new report from McKinsey warns organizations to widen their attention beyond AI. “By focusing on only the most hyped trends, they may miss out on the significant value potential of other technologies and hinder the chance for purposeful capability building,” researchers wrote.
The report mentions areas such as space technologies, bioengineering and the future of mobility. Let’s explore how these topics are active in the HR tech world right now.
HR tech in action
Private capital is driving the growth of space tech, resulting in an unprecedented increase in job openings in this field. Aerospace and defense have traditionally been sought-after positions for individuals with the right skills. However, McKinsey suggests that these organizations may need to enhance their recruiting and retention efforts to compete effectively.
Caleb Henry, a senior analyst at Quilty Analytics, told Bloomberg earlier this year that “space is viewed as the ultimate high ground.” This highlights the willingness of some investors to make long-term commitments to these companies.
Bioengineering tech takes years, even decades, to come to market. Hiring for these roles is a recruiting long game. The McKinsey report indicates that skills such as gene and cell therapy are in low supply, at least until more people gain suitable education and experience. According to a press release from UCLA, the National Science Foundation has awarded a $1 million grant to its Bioengineering Department to build its undergraduate curriculum.
According to reporting from Mercer, the automotive industry (essential to the future of mobility trends) will need to “snatch up” talent from other industries. This pipeline will refresh the industry with skills that traditionally got people hired for other jobs. “Engagement and retention strategies are essential as automotive companies are just one group among many that are targeting this type of talent,” state the Mercer authors.
People-focused HR tech news
I recently learned of an experiential rewards company called Blueboard. According to data on its website, the organization finds that employee referrals increase the likelihood of hiring by four times. Nearly half of the people sourced through referrals stay with a company for more than four years. Blueboard features cool options to reward referrals such as classes and outings.
Circling back to the topic of writers at work, many have done stints as freelancers, a style of work relied on by plenty of other professionals and one that is expected to grow in the post-pandemic world.
Fiverr Pro launched this week, aimed at projects for medium and large businesses. To become a Pro, which promises to offer freelancers more opportunities, talent in several core categories engage in a rigorous vetting process. This is based on skills and experience. For now, this option is only available to freelancers by invitation based on their current Fiverr profile.
AI talent acquisition and management solution Findem recently announced new generative AI capabilities in its platform. The company’s Talent Data Cloud provides ChatGPT-enabled insights to talent teams. According to a report from Findem, 73% of respondents at an HR VP level and above said that AI tools helped them expand their team’s reach.
Cengage Group’s 2023 Graduate Employability Report reveals that almost six in 10 college graduates desire closer collaboration between employers and their educational institutions. Additionally, nearly half of all graduates believe that their school should take responsibility for securing job placements after graduation.
This sentiment may be related to the fact that around half of the grads express doubts about their preparedness for the workforce, with concerns about “competition from AI.” I’m curious to know what HR leaders think about this situation. Shoot me an email if you have something to share.
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