Tech Connects

Hello, and welcome to Tech Connects, Dice’s podcast where we dig into the topics on tech hiring, recruiting and careers that matter to you! I’m your host, Nick Kolakowski, and I’m talking to great guests every month about the current state of the tech careers world, including the tech job market, the hottest tech skills, what companies are doing to attract and retain tech professionals in a historically tight market, and much, much more.  Our guest today is Nichole Foley, who’s the senior manager of talent acquisition for Commonwealth Fusion Systems, which is exploring the best ways to build clean fusion energy tech. Before that, she was a senior recruiting and people manager at Google, as well as a recruiter at other companies. That experience has given her incredible insight into recruiting and hiring as the tech industry heads into an uncertain but exciting 2025. Let’s listen in! Here are some quick takeaways from this chat: First, it’s important to acknowledge that tech hiring as we head into next year remains hyper-focused on specialization. Companies are now focusing on hiring for skills like AI and machine learning. Second, for recruiters and hiring managers tasked with finding the best tech talent, it’s about more than just salaries. Perks like free lunches are becoming less important to candidates. Instead, they’re very interested in working for a company with a mission they care about, as well as work-life balance, the ability to work remotely, and opportunities for professional growth and development. Third, it’s critical during these uncertain times to build trust with your team through personal connections and open communication. If you’re any kind of manager or team leader, providing direct feedback helps employees improve and see how their own goals align with the company’s mission. Fourth, many tech pros are still interested in working for companies that lean into diversity, equity and inclusion. Recruiters need to push back on hiring biases and ensure diverse candidate pools, while hiring managers need to be open to interviewing candidates from various backgrounds. There was a lot more in that discussion, of course, so give it another listen if you feel so inclined. Thank you for joining us—and remember, Dice is your best resource to find the tech talent you need to fill your open roles, and for technologists, the best place to grow your tech career.  ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Hello, and welcome to Tech Connects, Dice's podcast where we dig into the topics on tech hiring, recruiting and careers that matter to you. I'm your host, Nick Kolakowski.   Our next guest on “Tech Connects” is Christopher Savoie, who’s the CEO of Zapata AI, which is figuring out how to best integrate artificial intelligence into industrial-scale applications. In other words, he spends all day thinking about how to make the massive systems that underlie our lives, from supply chains to manufacturing hubs, even smarter and more efficient. If his name is familiar, it’s because he’s the co-inventor of AAOSA, the A.I.-based natural language interface technology used to develop Apple’s Siri, so he’s been in the AI game for a very long time.    I wanted to get Christopher’s take on the future of AI, the risks we need to be aware of, and the complexities of deploying this technology at enormous scale. It was a fascinating conversation and moved very quickly, with a ton of points covered, so buckle up! Here are some key points from our discussion: * AI is more than just chatbots: While generative AI has gained popularity through chatbots, its applications extend far beyond natural language processing. Zapata AI demonstrates how AI can be used to solve complex industrial problems through advanced mathematical modeling and optimization. * Quantum-inspired algorithms can tackle complex problems: Zapata AI's approach leverages quantum-inspired algorithms to efficiently handle the complexity of industrial challenges. This showcases the potential of quantum computing concepts even before the widespread availability of quantum hardware.   * AI can enhance human decision-making: By automating routine tasks and providing data-driven insights, AI can support human decision-makers in industries like logistics, finance, and healthcare. This can lead to improved efficiency, reduced errors, and better outcomes.   * The future of AI is multi-modal and domain-specific: As AI continues to evolve, we can expect to see more specialized AI models that combine different types of data (e.g., text, images, numbers) to address specific tasks. This will enable more tailored and effective AI solutions across various industries.   We hope this episode has helped you with some new insights into AI. We'll see you next time-and remember, we are your best resource to find the tech talent you need to fill your open roles, and for technologists, the best place to grow your tech career. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Our latest guest on ‘Tech Connects’ is Stefan Weitz, who’s co-founder and CEO of HumanX, which is currently planning a flagship AI conference in Las Vegas in March 2025. HumanX will use an extensive lineup of AI experts and executives to explore how this technology will impact everything from marketing and healthcare to cybersecurity. Seriously, there's going to be a lot of speakers and a lot of tracks.   I first met Stefan more than a decade ago when he was at Microsoft and I was at Slashdot. At the time, he was senior director and chief evangelist for Bing, Microsoft’s search engine, which was a very new product. I remember talking to him pretty extensively about topics such as machine learning and surfacing useful data in response to queries.   Thanks to the advent of AI, such topics have only grown more complex and important. Listen in as we chat about everything from spinning up HumanX to how AI might evolve over the next few years! Here are some additional things to consider as you plan your own AI journey.   * First, it's critical to approach AI strategically, which means don't rush into AI without a clear plan. Develop a well thought-out strategy that considers your specific business needs and goals. * Second, focus on high-impact projects. Prioritize AI work that has the potential to significantly boost your business operations and outcomes. Avoid being distracted by low-value initiatives. * Third, build cross functional teams. Assemble people with diverse expertise to ensure a comprehensive approach to AI implementation. * Fourth, consider the implications. As you develop and deploy AI solutions, be mindful of the ethical considerations involved. Ensure that your AI systems are as fair, unbiased, and transparent as possible.   We covered a whole lot of other topics during the episode, of course, so give it a re-listen if there was something you missed. We'll see you next time, and remember, Dice is your best resource to find the tech talent you need to fill your open roles… and for tech pros, the best place to grow your tech career. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Hello, and welcome to Tech Connects, Dice's podcast where we dig into the topics on tech hiring, recruiting and careers that matter to you. I'm your host, Nick Kolakowski, and today we're going to be talking about the current state of the recruiting and talent acquisition market with Carmen Hudson, an author and recruiting expert. Carmen has led corporate recruiting teams, built recruiting software, co-founded a tech recruiting conference, and trained recruiters. She’s also the author of the new book, “The Corporate Recruiter’s Playbook: Strategies for Hiring Top Talent,” which offers essential advice to recruiters and corporate leaders about how to attract and retain talent. As you’ll hear, we’ll chat about how recruiters and talent acquisition specialists can use their communication skills and other tools to refine and improve their hiring processes, even when things at a company get chaotic. We’re also inevitably going to talk about AI, as well. Here are some key takeaways for you as you proceed along your own recruiting and hiring journey: First, to truly understand the specific skills and behaviors required for a role, go beyond surface-level discussions with hiring managers. Collaborate closely with them to create accurate and detailed job descriptions that clearly define both technical and behavioral requirements. This ensures that candidates are well-aligned with the role's needs. Second, prioritize quality over quantity in your recruitment efforts. Resist the pressure to fill positions quickly at the expense of finding the right candidates. Implement a more thoughtful and deliberate sourcing and screening process that focuses on identifying high-quality individuals who align with the role's specific requirements. Third, leverage AI strategically to streamline certain tasks, but recognize its limitations. Combine AI with human judgment to ensure a comprehensive assessment of candidates. Stay updated on emerging AI technologies and their potential applications in recruiting to optimize your processes. Fourth, invest in continuous learning to stay informed about industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in recruiting. Develop a deep understanding of the technical aspects of the roles you're recruiting for to effectively assess candidates' qualifications. Seek opportunities for professional development and upskilling to enhance your recruiting expertise. We hope this episode has helped you with some new insights into recruiting, especially in the context of tech. We'll see you next time-and remember, we are your best resource to find the tech talent you need to fill your open roles, and for technologists, the best place to grow your tech career. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Hello, and welcome to Tech Connects, Dice's podcast where we dig into the topics on tech hiring, recruiting and careers that matter to you. I'm your host, Nick Kolakowski. Our latest guest has been on the show before: Katrina Collier, a recruiting expert who’s an author, speaker, mentor, and facilitator specializing in the human side of talent acquisition. Her passion is ensuring that recruiters and companies deliver a great candidate experience. Her latest book is titled “Reboot Hiring,” and it focuses on the ways that executives, managers, and other business leaders can effectively reboot a hiring process that’s only gotten more complicated and expensive in recent years.  As you’ll hear during our discussion, Katrina thinks that AI isn’t solving every issue confronting talent acquisition experts and recruiters right now. Instead, companies seeking to hire the best tech talent need to concentrate more than ever on the human side of things.  Here are some key takeaways from our chat: First, the talent acquisition landscape has undergone significant changes due to the pandemic, economic fluctuations, and the rise of AI. Companies have over-hired and laid off staff multiple times, leading to a chaotic and uncertain environment. It may take some time for this situation to sort itself out, but it also creates opportunities for recruiters and companies who are willing to approach their hiring challenges with emotional intelligence.  Second, while AI offers potential benefits in TA, it can also introduce biases and challenges. It is important to use AI strategically and ethically, focusing on areas where it can add value, such as automation and data analysis. However, relying solely on AI can lead to suboptimal outcomes, especially when human judgment and emotional intelligence are crucial. Third, despite the advancements in AI, human interaction remains essential for successful talent acquisition. Managers need to develop strong relationships with their TA teams, listen to their expertise, and collaborate effectively. By prioritizing human connection and understanding, companies can create a more engaging and effective hiring process. Fourth, emotional intelligence is crucial for navigating the complex challenges of modern TA. Leaders must be willing to be vulnerable, admit their limitations, and seek guidance from their teams. By fostering a culture of collaboration and trust, leaders can create a more positive and productive work environment. We’ve covered quite a bit in this episode, so give it another listen if there was anything you missed. We’ll see you next time, and remember—Dice is your best resource to find the tech talent you need to fill your open roles, and for tech professionals, the best place to grow your tech career. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.