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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

Our next ‘Tech Connects’ guest is Seth Robinson, who’s vice president of industry research at CompTIA, the Computing Technology Industry Association. CompTIA offers education, training, certifications, and monthly research. If you read Dice’s articles and e-books, you know we cite their research pretty constantly, including their monthly analysis of the tech unemployment rate and job trends. I wanted to talk to Seth because he recently wrote a whitepaper on how organizations are developing AI strategies, including what AI could mean for tech professionals both in the near- and long-term. Let’s listen to his key insights into AI and how it might impact your own journey through the tech industry.  There’s a lot of chatter right now about all things AI-related, so it’s great to step back and take a broader view on the technology and the industries it impacts. Here are some additional takeaways from our conversation: First, the AI hype train is slowing down. It's essential to recognize that while AI has the potential to revolutionize industries, it's not a magic solution. Instead, it's a tool that can augment existing workflows and processes. Understanding this distinction is crucial for setting realistic expectations and avoiding overhyped promises.Second, effective AI implementation hinges on robust data management. Companies need to prioritize data cleaning, organization, and analysis to maximize the value of AI tools. Additionally, core skills in areas like software programming, cybersecurity, and data analysis remain essential. AI is often integrated into existing tools and platforms, so proficiency in these areas is vital.Third, as AI becomes more prevalent, the ability to critically evaluate AI outputs will be increasingly important. Professionals need to develop skills to assess the reliability and accuracy of AI-generated information. This includes understanding the limitations of AI algorithms and the potential for errors.Fourth, successful AI integration requires collaboration across different departments and roles. Technology and business teams must work together to define goals, identify challenges, and allocate resources effectively. A holistic approach that considers the interplay of people, processes, and technology is essential for maximizing the benefits of AI.Keeping these points in mind will help you and your company use AI more effectively. 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.

Our next guest on “Tech Connects” is Steve Levy, who’s the principal talent advisor at DHI Group, Dice’s parent company. As you’ll see during our conversation, he’s very dedicated to the idea of hiring talent in the most human-centric way possible, and he also has great insights into how companies can effectively integrate artificial intelligence into their hiring practices. Just as an aside, he also has great recommendations for books and newsletters you can peruse as part of your AI learning journey.Here are some key takeaways from our discussion that you can apply to your own AI journey, particularly if you’re trying to figure out how to use AI to fulfill your talent acquisition needs:First, educate yourself about AI and its limitations: There's a lack of education and a rush to adopt AI at some companies, leading to potential biases and a lack of understanding of how AI works. It's important to be aware of the limitations of AI and to use it as a tool alongside human expertise, not as a replacement.Second, be skeptical and question how AI decisions are made: AI can perpetuate biases if the data it's trained on is biased. Tech professionals should be critical of AI outputs and ask questions about the reasoning behind them. Don't blindly trust AI for decisions, especially concerning hiring.Third, start playing with AI tools: There are free resources available online that allow you to experiment with different AI language models. Learning about prompt engineering will help you ask AI the right questions and get the most useful outputs.Fourth, collaboration is key. Discuss AI with your team and learn from each other: Get your team involved in exploring AI tools and discussing their potential applications. Sharing knowledge and experiences will help you navigate the ethical and practical considerations of AI in the workplace.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.

Our guest for this chat is Torsten Staab, who’s principal technical fellow at Nightwing, which has probably the coolest company name I’ve ever heard. Nightwing is a spinoff of defense giant Raytheon, and it’s focused on cybersecurity and intelligence solutions for government agencies and private companies. In other words, if you want to get a good idea of the issues surrounding AI and cloud security, as well as the ways companies can prevent data leakage and train employees to identify AI attacks, he’s a great person to talk to.Here are some key takeaways:First, the recent advancements in generative AI have introduced a double-edged sword. While it presents exciting opportunities to increase efficiency and improve customer service, it also opens doors for malicious actors to exploit vulnerabilities. This has ignited an "AI arms race" where both defenders and attackers are employing AI for their advantage. New threats like deepfakes and data poisoning necessitate companies to re-evaluate their cybersecurity strategies and incorporate measures to address these AI-driven attacks.Second, to mitigate the cybersecurity risks of generative AI, a layered approach is recommended. Companies should establish clear policies and usage guidelines to restrict access to sensitive information. Additionally, engineered controls such as data screening tools can be implemented to monitor data flow and identify potential leaks or misuse. As the AI threat landscape continues to evolve, it's crucial to keep these controls updated. Furthermore, cybersecurity awareness training for employees is essential to equip them with the skills to recognize and report suspicious AI activity.Third, looking towards the future, we can expect to see the development of specialized AI models designed to tackle specific tasks. Additionally, AI will become increasingly embedded within various devices and systems, posing new security challenges. As distributed intelligence becomes the norm, concerns regarding data privacy and control will likely intensify. It will be interesting to see how these trends unfold and how the cybersecurity landscape adapts to this ever-changing environment.We hope this episode has helped you to better understand a little more about AI and cybersecurity, and how those might impact your company and job. 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 tech pros, the best place to grow your tech career.