Staying updated on the latest workforce trends is crucial for TA leaders and HR professionals. This week, we delve into three significant developments shaping the talent landscape and get SocialTalent Director of Content, Holly Fawcett’s first-hand takes on these pieces.
- Our first article is from Quartz and it looks at the ever-evolving issues of AI in organizations and the need for consistent and quality AI training. The results show that without it employees will just go rouge of their own accord.
- Next, we explore the latest Josh Bersin article which digs into the growing importance of change management as a critical people skill in the future, particularly in an atmosphere of skills shortage.
- And finally, Fortune delivers a bit of positive news on the DEI front. In the midst of a lot of recent pushback, there has been an increased demand and support from an employee level.
Join us as we explore these pivotal insights and their implications for the future of work.
1. Companies are Failing to Train their Employees on AI — so they ‘Go Rogue’
Source: Quartz
A Salesforce report highlights a major gap in AI training within companies, with 70% of office workers lacking generative AI training and only 21% having clear AI usage policies. Despite this, employees are “going rogue,” using unapproved or even banned AI tools, raising security and ethical concerns. The report stresses the need for continuous AI upskilling, as some companies, like Amazon and JPMorgan Chase, begin implementing AI literacy programs to address this urgent need.
Holly Fawcett’s take on this:
“The benefits of using AI tools at work are numerous, but they’re not flawless. Bringing in tools without vetting is like accepting all cookies – and you wonder why it feels like Instagram is listening to your conversations… You’ve given them all the data they need to know everything about you! Uploading internal or sensitive company data to unvetted or unapproved tools (especially free ones) so that AI can do some of your work for you is going to backfire, and this should be a rallying cry to every organization to put regular, mandatory AI training in place for employees.“
2. As The Economy Slows, Focus On The Skills Of The Future: Ability To Drive Change
Source: Josh Bersin
As the economy cools, the focus shifts to future-proof skills, especially the ability to drive change. Despite rising unemployment and layoffs, the long-term labor shortage persists, making skilled employees invaluable. Companies are investing in reskilling and internal mobility to navigate this digital and AI-driven era. Leaders now prioritize “change management” as a critical skill, essential for navigating economic cycles. Investing in people and their ability to adapt ensures success in an evolving marketplace.
Holly Fawcett’s take on this:
“I completely agree with this. Huge disruption to established players that radically changes the game rarely comes with warning. Companies can’t afford to be stunned by massive innovation, they have to be able to flex and adapt quickly. “We’ve always done it like this” is an extremely expensive attitude to foster in your company. Instead, recognising that “change is the only constant” will better equip people to thrive in a dynamic environment. Having people with the skills to break with tradition and drive change will bring about innovation and competitive edge.“
3. DEI has Some Prominent Critics – But it’s Actually Getting More Popular
Source: Fortune
Despite becoming a flashpoint in U.S. culture wars, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs are gaining popularity among workers. A recent Edelman report shows that 60% of employees now demand DEI initiatives, up 9% since 2022. Support for DEI has also doubled in positivity over the past few years, cutting across race, gender, and political lines. While critics like Elon Musk and Bill Ackman oppose DEI, most workers see it as essential for fostering belonging and addressing racism in the workplace.
Holly Fawcett’s take on this:
“I heard the other day that ESG (Environment, Societal & Governance) policies are considered luxury goods, and that makes me sad. In economies where companies are having to conserve cash, trading is down and consumers aren’t buying as they were before, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives get put on the back burner as if they were unimportant. This report from Edelman is a wake-up call to employers to stop treating DEI as window dressing and instead recognise that it’s the foundation atop which everything else is built. Consumers are also voting with their wallets and choosing to buy from companies that do good. Millennials and Gen Z now make up more than half of the world’s adult population, this is an issue they care deeply about because they recognise that DEI is not win-lose, but win-win. Elon Musk and Bill Ackman are clearly on the wrong side here.“
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The post Talent News Round-Up: Rogue AI, Future Skills, and DEI’s Rise appeared first on SocialTalent.