News/Talent Trends
Why Trump’s new science advisor isn’t actually a scientist
President Trump has nominated Michael Kratsios, a technology policy expert without traditional scientific credentials, as his science adviser, marking a departure from historical precedent. Key appointment details; Michael Kratsios, who previously served in the Trump administration and Defense Department, brings experience in technology policy and artificial intelligence rather than traditional scientific credentials. Kratsios played a central role in federal initiatives to accelerate AI development and compete with China His nomination represents the first time a presidential science adviser lacks advanced degrees in science or engineering He will join other White House advisers focused on AI-related matters Historical context; Presidential science...
read Jan 30, 2025AI expert Pechoucek joins Evolution Equity as partner
News technology executive Michal Pechoucek has joined Evolution Equity Partners to assist in deploying their recently raised $1.1 billion Evolution Technology Fund III. Key appointment details: A notable artificial intelligence expert has taken on a new role at the New York-based venture capital firm Evolution Equity Partners. Pechoucek, known for his expertise in artificial intelligence and technology, will help guide investment decisions for the firm's latest and largest fund Evolution Technology Fund III successfully raised $1.1 billion, marking a significant pool of capital for technology investments The appointment signals Evolution Equity's commitment to strengthening their AI and technology investment capabilities...
read Jan 29, 2025The latest AI safety researcher to quit OpenAI says he’s ‘terrified’
OpenAI safety researcher Steven Adler left the company in mid-November 2024, citing grave concerns about the rapid pace of artificial intelligence development and the risks associated with the artificial general intelligence (AGI) race. Key context: The departure comes amid growing scrutiny of OpenAI's safety and ethics practices, particularly following the death of former researcher turned whistleblower Suchir Balaji. Multiple whistleblowers have filed complaints with the SEC regarding allegedly restrictive nondisclosure agreements at OpenAI The company faces increasing pressure over its approach to AI safety and development speed Recent political developments include Trump's promise to repeal Biden's AI executive order, characterizing...
read Jan 27, 2025Brookings: If you care about the future of AI, pay less attention to CEOs and more attention to researchers
In a significant shift reshaping the artificial intelligence industry, technical talent has emerged as a powerful force driving decisions about AI development, safety protocols, and ethical considerations. The scarcity of qualified AI researchers and developers, combined with their increasing prioritization of moral considerations, has created unprecedented leverage for these professionals to influence how artificial intelligence technology evolves and is deployed. Key market dynamics: The scarcity of qualified AI researchers and developers has created unprecedented leverage for technical talent in the artificial intelligence industry. The limited pool of individuals capable of advancing AI technology has resulted in high demand and significant...
read Jan 24, 2025Apple just appointed a new leader to make Siri not suck anymore
The appointment of Kim Vorrath as a top deputy in Apple's artificial intelligence and machine learning division marks a strategic move to strengthen the company's AI capabilities and Siri development. Key appointment details: Apple has moved VP Kim Vorrath, known for managing troubled products and major launches, to lead program management in its AI and machine learning division under John Giannandrea. Vorrath brings significant experience from her role in launching Apple Vision Pro and managing the original iPhone software group She will oversee AI executives Kelsey Peterson, Cindy Lin, and Marc Schonbrun The reorganization was announced internally through a memo...
read Jan 23, 2025Employers would rather hire AI than Gen Z graduates, Hult survey finds
Remote workers began returning to the office in droves in early 2024, with major companies like Meta, Google, and Amazon implementing stricter in-person work policies. Key findings: A new survey from Hult International Business School reveals that 37% of employers would prefer to hire AI robots over recent Gen Z graduates. The study surveyed 1,600 employers and full-time employees 96% of employers believe college education isn't adequately preparing students for jobs 89% of employers actively avoid hiring recent graduates 98% of organizations report struggling to find talent Employer concerns: Companies cite specific issues with hiring recent graduates, pointing to a...
read Jan 23, 2025Meta’s top AI lawyer explains why he’s leaving the company
A prominent lawyer and Stanford professor has cut ties with Meta over concerns about the company's policy changes and leadership direction. The breaking point: Mark Lemley, a leading copyright attorney, announced his departure from Meta's defense team in the Kadrey v. Meta lawsuit, citing the company's controversial policy shifts and leadership decisions. Lemley explicitly stated he "fired" Meta as a client due to what he characterized as the company's "descent into toxic masculinity and Neo-Nazi madness" under Mark Zuckerberg's leadership A key factor in his decision was Meta's recent policy change allowing users to refer to gay and transgender individuals...
read Jan 23, 2025Marc Benioff at Davos: Today’s CEOs will be the last to manage all-human workforces
Breaking development: Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff declared at the World Economic Forum that current CEOs represent the last generation to manage exclusively human workforces. Key context: The transformation of workforce management reflects the rapid integration of AI into business operations, with tangible examples already emerging. Salesforce demonstrated this shift by introducing an AI agent in their Davos conference app to help attendees navigate panel selections This marks the first time the company has incorporated AI into their decade-long management of the conference's software systems Benioff emphasized that AI would augment rather than replace human workers, creating a partnership model Expert...
read Jan 22, 2025Good news for knowledge workers: AI augments rather than replaces workers, new survey finds
The key context: Examining several real-world case studies across different industries demonstrates how AI adoption tends to augment rather than replace human workers. Historical precedent from the legal industry shows that OCR technology, while automating document review, actually increased demand for lawyers by making legal services more accessible and affordable AT&T's automation of switchboard operations initially eliminated specific roles but ultimately generated new industries and job opportunities through cheaper, more widespread communication Education transformation: AI is reshaping teaching methods while maintaining the irreplaceable human elements of education. An AI teaching clone was developed to provide 24/7 student support and handle...
read Jan 22, 2025YouGov survey reveals mistrust among workers of agentic AI in the workplace
The first significant survey examining worker trust in agentic AI reveals notable skepticism among employees regarding AI's capabilities and reliability in the workplace. Key findings: YouGov's survey for Pegasystems (NASDAQ: PEGA) polled over 2,100 working professionals in the US and UK who use digital devices for their jobs, with 58% already utilizing AI agents. 33% expressed concerns about AI-produced work quality 32% cited AI's lack of human intuition and emotional intelligence 30% showed distrust in AI-generated response accuracy 47% believed AI cannot match human intuition and emotional intelligence 40% felt uncomfortable submitting AI-generated work 34% worried that AI's output quality...
read Jan 21, 2025AI skills dominate Upwork’s latest research report
Upwork's latest research reveals significant growth in AI-related skills and human-centric roles for 2025, with AI specialists earning up to 22% more than traditional roles in similar fields. Key findings and market trends: The report demonstrates a dramatic shift in workforce demands, particularly in advanced AI capabilities and human development roles. Generative AI modeling and AI data annotation saw growth rates of up to 220% year-over-year Human-centric roles, including career coaching and training & development, increased by 74% Nearly half of businesses (49%) are using freelancers to address skill gaps 48% of CEOs plan to increase freelance hiring in the...
read Jan 21, 2025New York Governor targets workforce development for Micron’s semiconductor facility
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has proposed a $252 billion state budget that includes free community college tuition for adults pursuing degrees in high-demand technical fields, particularly targeting workforce development for the semiconductor industry. Key initiative details: The proposal aims to address workforce shortages in advanced manufacturing and technology sectors, with a particular focus on supporting Micron Technology's planned $100 billion semiconductor facility in Clay, New York. The program would cover tuition, fees, books, and supplies for students aged 25-55 without existing college credentials Eligible fields include advanced manufacturing, technology, engineering, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, construction, green energy, teaching, and healthcare...
read Jan 21, 2025State of the game industry report reveals growing developer skepticism toward AI
Game developers are expressing increasing skepticism and frustration over artificial intelligence initiatives in the gaming industry, according to a new State of the Game Industry report surveying 3,000 developers. Key findings: The comprehensive industry survey reveals a significant shift in developer sentiment towards AI implementation in gaming development. More than half (52%) of surveyed developers reported their companies are utilizing generative AI in game development Developer skepticism has notably increased, with 30% expressing negative views about AI (up from 18% last year) Positive sentiment has declined, with only 13% seeing AI as beneficial (down from 21% in 2024) When asked...
read Jan 19, 2025AI talent exodus threatens academic research future
The growing divide between academic and private sector AI research threatens the future of foundational AI development as universities struggle with insufficient resources and talent retention. Current state of affairs: Universities are experiencing a significant decline in their ability to conduct cutting-edge AI research due to resource constraints and talent migration to the private sector. Academic institutions lack access to the massive-scale GPU computing infrastructure necessary for frontier AI research Private companies now produce the majority of powerful AI systems, creating a significant power imbalance The public sector's ability to develop AI systems serving the public interest is being undermined...
read Jan 18, 2025NVIDIA AI pioneer Yejin Choi joins Stanford to bring societal values, common sense to AI
A renowned AI researcher and MacArthur Fellow, Yejin Choi, has been appointed as the Dieter Schwartz Foundation HAI Professor at Stanford's Institute for Human-Centered AI (HAI). Key appointment details: Stanford HAI has named NVIDIA's Yejin Choi as Professor of Computer Science and Senior Fellow, bringing her expertise in natural language processing and common sense AI to the institute. Choi will focus on aligning AI with societal values and human intentions, continuing her work on common sense AI and the transition from Large Language Models (LLMs) to Structured Language Models (SLMs) She joins Stanford HAI's leadership team alongside Co-Founders and Co-Directors...
read Jan 17, 2025Mira Murati’s AI venture recruits ex-OpenAI leader among first hires
Former OpenAI Chief Technology Officer Mira Murati has begun staffing her new artificial intelligence startup, making several key hires including OpenAI's former head of special projects Jonathan Lachman. Key developments: Murati's unnamed startup, focused on artificial general intelligence (AGI) - AI systems capable of performing any intellectual task that humans can do - has recruited approximately 10 researchers and engineers from major AI companies. The startup has attracted talent from OpenAI, Character AI, and Google DeepMind While actively hiring, the company remains in early stages without a name or defined product direction Murati is reportedly seeking over $100 million in...
read Jan 16, 2025Microsoft launches CoreAI division to accelerate AI infrastructure development and integration
Microsoft launched a significant new AI division called CoreAI - Platform and Tools to accelerate AI infrastructure development and integration across its software ecosystem. Strategic overview: Microsoft aims to fundamentally transform application development by integrating autonomous AI agents into all software categories by 2025, representing a dramatic acceleration of technological advancement. The newly formed CoreAI division combines expertise from Microsoft's Developer Division, AI Platform, and Office of the CTO teams Jay Parikh will lead the initiative as Executive Vice President CEO Satya Nadella describes this effort as compressing "30 years of change into 3 years" for application development Technical infrastructure...
read Jan 14, 2025OpenAI appoints BlackRock executive to board
OpenAI has expanded its board of directors by appointing Adebayo "Bayo" Ogunlesi, a prominent BlackRock executive and infrastructure investment leader. Strategic appointment timing: The addition of Ogunlesi to OpenAI's board comes at a crucial moment as the company considers transitioning from a nonprofit to a for-profit structure. Ogunlesi currently serves as chairman and CEO of Global Infrastructure Partners, an investment fund He also holds the position of senior managing director at BlackRock, one of the world's largest asset management firms OpenAI board chair Bret Taylor emphasized Ogunlesi's proven ability to navigate complex commercial environments and drive organizational success Leadership implications:...
read Jan 14, 2025Meta to eliminate 5% of staff in shift to AI and AR development
Meta has announced plans to cut 5% of its workforce, approximately 3,600 employees, as part of a strategic shift to prioritize artificial intelligence and augmented reality development. Strategic reshaping: Mark Zuckerberg is implementing performance-based cuts to create space for new talent focused on AI innovation and smart glasses development. Employees deemed as "low performers" will be notified by February 10 and receive generous severance packages The company will retain some underperforming employees if management sees potential for future improvement This represents Meta's largest workforce reduction since 2023's "year of efficiency" cuts Performance management overhaul: Zuckerberg aims to accelerate the process...
read Jan 14, 2025Microsoft forms new AI engineering team under ex-Meta leader
Microsoft has created a new AI-focused engineering division called CoreAI – Platform and Tools, led by former Meta executive Jay Parikh, combining its developer division with AI platform teams to build comprehensive AI solutions. Strategic reorganization; Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella is positioning the company for what he describes as a transformative AI platform shift in 2025 that will reshape all application categories. The new CoreAI division combines Microsoft's Dev Div, AI platform teams, and select members from the Office of the CTO Parikh, who joined Microsoft in October, will serve as executive vice president of CoreAI - Platform and Tools,...
read Jan 14, 2025AI hub in Liverpool to create 1,000 new tech jobs
Key Development: Global IT infrastructure provider Kyndryl plans to establish a new Artificial Intelligence hub in Liverpool City Region, with projections to create 1,000 jobs over three years. Project Context and Scale: The initiative is part of a broader UK government AI Opportunities Action Plan that has secured £14 billion in commitments from leading tech firms. The plan aims to establish growth zones across the UK, potentially creating over 13,250 jobs Kyndryl, the world's largest IT infrastructure services provider, selected Liverpool City Region after direct negotiations with local leadership The investment represents a significant boost to Merseyside's growing technology sector...
read Jan 12, 2025LinkedIn data reveals AI’s rise in the job market alongside growth in traditional service roles
Key findings: LinkedIn's analysis of job updates from January 2022 to July 2024 reveals significant growth in artificial intelligence roles, alongside unexpected increases in traditional service sectors. Artificial Intelligence Engineer and AI Consultant claimed the top two spots in LinkedIn's annual "Jobs on the Rise" list Physical Therapist emerged as the third fastest-growing position Workforce Development Manager and Travel Advisor completed the top five positions Industry trends: The data highlights a notable shift in the job market, with AI-related positions dominating while previously growing roles in diversity and inclusion have declined. Major companies, including McDonald's, have scaled back their DEI...
read Jan 11, 2025Perplexity AI expands to India with major hiring plans
Perplexity AI, a rapidly growing AI-powered search company valued at $9 billion, is expanding its operations into India, where it already serves over 1 million users. Market expansion strategy: Perplexity AI is actively seeking talent to spearhead its growth in India and build strategic partnerships with local institutions. The company launched its answer engine in December 2022, just four months after its founding With 10 million active users globally, India already represents 10% of Perplexity's user base The recent $500 million funding round has positioned the company for aggressive international growth Leadership engagement: CEO Aravind Srinivas recently met with Prime...
read Jan 11, 2025OpenAI launches dedicated robotics team
OpenAI is expanding beyond software development by building its first dedicated robotics team and hiring hardware specialists. Key Development: OpenAI's technical staff member Caitlin Kalinowski announced on X that the company is recruiting for its first hardware robotics positions. The company is seeking an EE sensing engineer to design sensor suites for robots A robotics mechanical design engineer position is open to work on components like gears, actuators, motors, and linkages Kalinowski, who joined OpenAI two months ago after leading AR glasses development at Meta, will head the robotics and consumer hardware initiatives Strategic Focus: The robotics team aims to...
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