News/Talent Trends
DBS Bank to cut 4,000 jobs as AI adoption accelerates
Like fintech firm Klarna in recent days, Singapore's largest bank is shedding a whopping number of employees in its adoption of AI. The banking industry is undergoing a significant transformation as financial institutions increasingly adopt AI technologies to streamline operations. DBS, Singapore's biggest bank, is at the forefront of this shift, having invested in AI development for over a decade with more than 800 AI models currently in use. Major workforce changes ahead: DBS Bank plans to reduce its workforce by 4,000 positions over the next three years as AI technology assumes more responsibilities traditionally handled by human workers. The...
read Feb 25, 2025Poach Me Not: OpenAI engineer’s viral response to xAI recruitment attempt
The artificial intelligence talent war has intensified in 2025, with companies aggressively recruiting top engineers from competitors. OpenAI engineer Javier Soto's public rejection of xAI's recruitment attempt highlights growing tensions between Elon Musk and his former company OpenAI. The recruitment rejection: An OpenAI engineer publicly shared his strongly-worded response to a recruitment attempt by Elon Musk's xAI, citing concerns about Musk's social media behavior and impact on democracy. Javier Soto posted a screenshot on X of his response to xAI's recruitment effort In his message, Soto acknowledged being a Tesla owner and SpaceX fan while criticizing Musk's social media rhetoric...
read Feb 24, 2025Dutch AI firm Bird exits Europe over strict regulations
The Netherlands has been a growing hub for European tech startups, and Bird has been one of its most successful cloud communications companies since its founding in 2011. The company, which helps businesses manage customer communications across digital platforms, has developed AI-powered solutions that compete with major U.S. players like Twilio. Breaking news: Cloud communications firm Bird announces plans to relocate most operations from Europe to New York, Singapore, and Dubai, marking a significant shift for one of the Netherlands' most prominent tech startups. CEO Robert Vis cites Europe's restrictive AI regulations and difficulties in hiring skilled tech workers as...
read Feb 22, 2025Success in the AI era requires you have this crucial job skill
The World Economic Forum's latest report examines workforce transformation through 2030, revealing both opportunities and challenges as artificial intelligence reshapes employment. The findings indicate significant job market disruption while highlighting the growing importance of human-centric skills alongside technical capabilities. Key workforce predictions: The global job market will see substantial shifts by 2030, with a net gain of 78 million positions despite significant displacement. Employers expect to create 170 million new jobs while eliminating 92 million existing positions Nearly 40% of current workplace skills will become outdated or require transformation Approximately 59% of workers worldwide will need retraining or upskilling Employer...
read Feb 21, 2025Advanced degrees, STEM backgrounds and sales experience boosted as AI reshapes labor market
On-the-job training and service roles are losing ground as employers seek those who already possess high skill and experience. The rise of artificial intelligence in workplaces has prompted Harvard economists to examine its actual impact on employment patterns and hiring practices. A new study by David Deming and Lawrence H. Summers reveals that AI is reshaping the labor market in ways that differ from initial fears about widespread job displacement. Key findings: Harvard's research into occupational churn demonstrates that AI is driving companies to seek more highly skilled and trained employees. Data shows an increase in hiring of workers with...
read Feb 20, 2025Stanford AI Lab merges with HAI under Carlos Guestrin’s leadership
The Stanford Artificial Intelligence Lab (SAIL), founded in 1963 by Professor John McCarthy, has been a pioneering force in AI development for six decades. Stanford University has now appointed Carlos Guestrin, the Fortinet Founders Professor of Computer Science, as SAIL's new director as the lab joins forces with the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered AI (HAI). Leadership transition and strategic vision: Carlos Guestrin, a distinguished leader in machine learning with extensive experience in both academia and industry, takes over from Christopher Manning to lead SAIL into its next phase of innovation. Guestrin brings valuable experience from leadership roles at Apple's machine...
read Feb 20, 2025AI production studio Asteria hires VFX veteran and ‘Star Wars’ alum Benjamin Lock
For animation studio Asteria, the hiring of a top visual effects master is now a lock. The emergence of artificial intelligence in film production is taking concrete form with Asteria, a generative AI film and animation studio founded in fall 2024 by Bryn Mooser. The studio combines traditional film expertise with AI technology development, aiming to reshape how movies and TV shows are produced. Latest Development: Visual effects veteran Benjamin Lock joins Asteria to spearhead AI-driven workflow development and contribute to the company's proprietary AI model development. Lock brings over two decades of experience from prestigious studios including Framestore, Aardman,...
read Feb 20, 2025Too much too fast? Concerns raised amid Musk plan to replace government workers with AI wherever possible
Elon Musk and the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are proposing a sweeping $2 trillion cost-cutting plan centered on replacing federal workers with AI systems. The current situation: The Trump administration has already eliminated 10,000 federal positions after Musk and DOGE gained access to internal agency data, citing claims of widespread fraud and waste. Musk's ultimate vision involves replacing "the human workforce with machines" wherever it can be managed DOGE aims to shift from bureaucrats to technocrats in government operations The initiative has already begun impacting federal employment numbers Technical feasibility: Artificial intelligence currently shows promise in handling...
read Feb 20, 2025Nearly half of knowledge workers would use AI even if bosses forbade it, survey finds
The rapid adoption of generative AI (GenAI) tools by knowledge workers is creating tension between corporate policies and employee practices. A recent Software AG study of 6,000 employees reveals a significant shift in workplace technology adoption, with three-quarters of knowledge workers already embracing GenAI despite potential corporate restrictions. Key findings: Software AG's research shows that 75% of knowledge workers are using GenAI tools, and 46% would continue using them even if explicitly prohibited by their employers. The high adoption rate demonstrates a fundamental shift in how knowledge workers approach their daily tasks This resistance to potential corporate bans presents significant...
read Feb 20, 2025Ex-OpenAI CTO Mira Murati launches AI startup Thinking Machines
OpenAI's former Chief Technology Officer Mira Murati has spent the last decade at the forefront of artificial intelligence development, helping build foundational AI models like GPT-4 and DALL-E. In February 2025, she launched Thinking Machines Lab, a new AI research and product company focused on making AI systems more adaptable and understandable. The Big Picture: Thinking Machines Lab emerges as a significant new player in the AI landscape, with a mission to advance practical AI applications through open science and solid technical foundations. The startup launches with approximately 24 engineers and scientists, including notable OpenAI alumni John Schulman and Barret...
read Feb 20, 2025San Jose State University appoints first ever AI librarian
The big picture: San Jose State University (SJSU) has created one of the first dedicated AI librarian positions in the United States, appointing Sharesly Rodriguez to manage and develop AI-related resources and services at the university's academic library. The position was announced in February 2025, marking a significant step in how academic libraries are adapting to AI technologies Rodriguez, who has worked at the university library since 2020, will focus on integrating AI technology into library services while addressing ethical considerations and academic integrity Role and responsibilities: Academic librarians traditionally work with faculty and IT staff to provide resources and...
read Feb 19, 2025America’s ‘AI dominance’ mission will mean big staff reductions for the AI Safety Institute
The US government established the AI Safety Institute (AISI) in 2024 as part of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to oversee AI model testing and safety regulations. In early 2025, the Trump administration began dismantling various AI regulatory frameworks put in place by the previous administration. Latest developments: The US AI Safety Institute faces imminent staff reductions that threaten to severely diminish its operational capacity. According to Axios reporting, NIST is preparing for 497 role eliminations, primarily targeting probationary employees The cuts will affect both AI safety oversight and semiconductor production initiatives AISI Director Elizabeth Kelly recently...
read Feb 12, 2025Fatal AI errors: How cutting jobs may hurt your company
AI technology is projected to generate over $6.6 trillion in business cost savings by 2030, with many companies focusing on workforce reduction as a primary means of achieving these savings. In 2024, more than 150,000 tech jobs were eliminated, with thousands more cuts continuing into early 2025, including recent layoffs at Meta. The workforce transformation dilemma: Companies rushing to replace human workers with AI systems may be making a strategic error that could harm their long-term competitiveness. Former Apple manager and current Bodhi AI CEO Zac Engler warns against viewing AI solely as a cost-cutting tool Recent tech industry layoffs,...
read Feb 11, 2025Conversation self-starter: AI-powered virtual recruiters boost enterprise efficiency by 30%
Ready for a round of job interviews conducted by Alexa? Well, not her, but close! In a significant development for AI-powered recruitment technology, ConverzAI has secured $16 million in Series A funding to expand its virtual recruiting platform. The Redmond-based startup, founded in 2019, has developed AI recruiters that automate key hiring processes while claiming to boost efficiency by 30% for enterprise customers. Core technology and value proposition: ConverzAI's platform leverages artificial intelligence to manage the entire recruitment process, from candidate sourcing to final placement decisions. The system engages candidates through multiple channels including voice, text, and email while analyzing...
read Feb 11, 2025Workday to command army of AI agents for payroll, HR and more
Recent advancements in enterprise software are transforming how organizations manage their artificial intelligence systems, with leading HR and financial management provider Workday at the forefront of this shift. The company is developing new tools and AI agents that mirror traditional employee management systems, aiming to help businesses better integrate AI into their operations. Key Development: Workday has announced the Workday Agent System of Record as part of its Illuminate strategy, creating a centralized platform for managing both internal and third-party AI agents. The system will provide tools for onboarding AI agents, defining their roles, tracking effectiveness, and managing compliance Organizations...
read Feb 10, 2025Intel’s head of data center and AI to assume CEO role at Nokia
The telecommunications industry continues to evolve at the intersection of networking, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence. Nokia's leadership transition signals a strategic shift toward expanding its presence in data center networking and AI infrastructure. Key leadership changes: Nokia has announced a significant executive transition with current CEO Pekka Lundmark stepping down on March 31, to be succeeded by Intel Executive Vice President Justin Hotard on April 1. Hotard brings extensive experience from his role as General Manager of Intel's Data Center and Artificial Intelligence business The appointment aligns with Nokia's increasing focus on data center networking and automation capabilities Intel...
read Feb 10, 2025Anthropic’s new economic index tracks AI impact on jobs, from software to farming
The Anthropic Economic Index represents a groundbreaking initiative to track and analyze AI's impact on labor markets through analysis of millions of anonymized conversations on Claude.ai. This first-of-its-kind study leverages direct usage data rather than surveys or forecasts to understand how AI is being integrated into workplace tasks. Key findings and methodology: The analysis examined AI usage patterns across occupational tasks using Anthropic's Clio system, which analyzed approximately one million conversations while preserving user privacy. Currently, AI usage is most concentrated in software development and technical writing tasks About 36% of occupations use AI for at least a quarter of...
read Feb 10, 20257 ChatGPT prompts to help achieve job search success
The job search landscape has become increasingly competitive, with many professionals seeking new opportunities after layoffs or career transitions. ChatGPT's o3-mini, a free AI tool, offers practical assistance for job seekers through various targeted prompts and strategies. Core functionality: ChatGPT o3-mini serves as a comprehensive job search assistant that can help with everything from resume writing to interview preparation. The tool processes detailed information about skills, experience, and preferences to provide personalized career guidance Unlike traditional job search methods, it offers real-time feedback and adaptable suggestions based on user input The AI assistant can help identify opportunities users might not...
read Feb 10, 2025AI adoption trends reshape business strategies, software engineering seniority
Artificial Intelligence's impact on workforce productivity and career progression varies significantly by seniority level and individual adaptability, as highlighted in recent analyses of AI adoption patterns across different professional disciplines. The traditional assumption that AI's impact correlates directly with seniority level is being challenged by emerging workplace dynamics. Key patterns in AI adoption: Software engineering demonstrates a unique pattern where junior and senior engineers see substantial AI benefits, while mid-level engineers experience more modest gains. Junior engineers face both opportunities and challenges as AI tools can either enhance their capabilities or potentially automate their tasks Staff+ level engineers leverage AI...
read Feb 5, 2025BlackRock to add 1,200 jobs in India to boost AI capabilities
BlackRock, the world's largest asset manager, plans to expand its India operations by hiring 1,200 new employees, with a significant focus on artificial intelligence capabilities. Expansion overview; The hiring initiative will increase BlackRock's Indian workforce by approximately one-third, building upon its existing team of 3,500 employees across two support hubs. The expansion will primarily strengthen operations at BlackRock's iHubs in Mumbai and Gurugram A new presence in Bangalore will be established through the proposed acquisition of data firm Preqin BlackRock has secured office space in Mumbai's Goregaon area through a USD 45.9 million lease deal Talent focus and capabilities; The...
read Feb 5, 2025Benefits, non-competes and AI policy: Navigating employment law in 2025
The fragmented U.S. employment law landscape in 2025 will create significant challenges for businesses operating across multiple states, particularly around noncompete agreements, paid leave, pay transparency, and AI regulation. The policy vacuum: With congressional gridlock and limited federal regulatory action, states are increasingly taking the lead on employment law creation and enforcement, resulting in a patchwork of varying and sometimes conflicting requirements. Republican control of Washington suggests reduced federal oversight and regulation of employment matters This regulatory void at the federal level has prompted increased state-level policy making The resulting inconsistencies create compliance challenges for multi-state employers Key regulatory focus...
read Feb 4, 2025Resignation of US AI Safety Institute chief throws policy direction in question
Elizabeth Kelly, director of the US AI Safety Institute and a key figure in US artificial intelligence policy, is departing her role amid potential shifts in the organization's direction under the Trump administration. Leadership transition details: Elizabeth Kelly's imminent departure from the US AI Safety Institute marks a significant change in leadership for one of the government's primary artificial intelligence oversight bodies. Kelly, who has served as the institute's director and represented US AI policy internationally, will step down by the end of the week The timing of her exit coincides with broader changes in the organization under the current...
read Feb 4, 2025Salesforce cuts 1,000 jobs as AI push expands
Salesforce is restructuring its workforce by laying off over 1,000 employees while simultaneously hiring for AI-focused positions. The core changes: Salesforce's latest workforce adjustment reflects its strategic shift toward artificial intelligence while maintaining opportunities for internal mobility. The company is cutting more than 1,000 positions but is actively recruiting for roles related to AI product sales Affected employees will have the opportunity to apply for other positions within the organization The customer relationship management company currently employs 72,682 people, according to its latest annual filing Recent history of restructuring: This latest round of layoffs follows a pattern of workforce adjustments...
read Feb 4, 2025Anthropic urges job seekers NOT to use AI in their applications
Anthropic, creator of the Claude AI chatbot, has implemented a strict "no AI" policy for job applicants, highlighting an interesting paradox in the AI industry's hiring practices. Key development: Anthropic requires job applicants to avoid using AI assistants when writing cover letters and answering application questions, specifically requesting candidates to express their genuine interest without AI mediation. The policy applies across all positions, from research engineers to brand designers Applicants must explicitly indicate their agreement to not use AI during the application process The company emphasizes evaluating candidates' non-AI-assisted communication skills Company background: Anthropic has emerged as a significant player...
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