Afleveringen
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Hello, and welcome to Tech Connects, Diceâs podcast where we dig into the topics on tech hiring, recruiting and careers that matter to you! Iâm your host, Nick Kolakowski, and Iâm 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, whoâs 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. Letâs listen in!
Here are some quick takeaways from this chat:
First, itâs 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, itâs about more than just salaries. Perks like free lunches are becoming less important to candidates. Instead, theyâre 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, itâs critical during these uncertain times to build trust with your team through personal connections and open communication. If youâre any kind of manager or team leader, providing direct feedback helps employees improve and see how their own goals align with the companyâs 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 usâand 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.
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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 âTech Connectsâ is Christopher Savoie, whoâs 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, itâs because heâs the co-inventor of AAOSA, the A.I.-based natural language interface technology used to develop Appleâs Siri, so heâs been in the AI game for a very long time.
I wanted to get Christopherâs 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.
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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Our latest guest on âTech Connectsâ is Stefan Weitz, whoâs 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, Microsoftâs 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.
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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. Sheâs also the author of the new book, âThe Corporate Recruiterâs Playbook: Strategies for Hiring Top Talent,â which offers essential advice to recruiters and corporate leaders about how to attract and retain talent. As youâll hear, weâll 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. Weâre 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.
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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 whoâs 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 âReboot Hiring,â and it focuses on the ways that executives, managers, and other business leaders can effectively reboot a hiring process thatâs only gotten more complicated and expensive in recent years.
As youâll hear during our discussion, Katrina thinks that AI isnât 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.
Weâve covered quite a bit in this episode, so give it another listen if there was anything you missed. Weâll see you next time, and rememberâDice 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.
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Our next âTech Connectsâ guest is Seth Robinson, whoâs vice president of industry research at CompTIA, the Computing Technology Industry Association. CompTIA offers education, training, certifications, and monthly research. If you read Diceâs 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. Letâs listen to his key insights into AI and how it might impact your own journey through the tech industry.
Thereâs a lot of chatter right now about all things AI-related, so itâs 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. Weâve covered quite a bit in this episode, so give it another listen if there was anything you missed. Weâll see you next time, and rememberâDice 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.
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Our next guest on âTech Connectsâ has been on the show a few times before: Art Zeile, CEO of DHI Group, the parent company of Dice. Itâs always great to talk with him about the evolution of the tech market. Artâs been publishing an article per week on LinkedIn in which he digs deeply in the future of work and how itâll be impacted by the current revolution in artificial intelligence.
Here are some quick takeaways from this discussion with Art:
First, embracing AI isnât really optional. The rapid evolution of AI demands immediate action from businesses. Similar to the impact of the PC or the internet, AI is fundamentally altering business models. Companies that fail to integrate AI risk losing market share to competitors who are already leveraging its capabilities.
Second, you canât really wait to embrace AI. Technology professionals are already adopting AI tools at a rapid pace, and surveys indicate thereâs already widespread use of AI, particularly in code generation and completion. To remain competitive, tech professionals must understand how generative AI can enhance their careers. Those who fail to adapt will find themselves at a significant disadvantage.
Third, upskilling is absolutely essential for anyone who wants to succeed in this new, AI-driven environment. The demand for AI talent far exceeds supply, and so companies are increasingly focusing on upskilling their existing workforce to meet AI demands rather than hiring externally. Learning Python and data engineering can provide a strong foundation for an AI career. Additionally, platforms like AWS offer numerous resources for upskilling in AI.
Fourth, as AI adoption grows, so do concerns about data privacy and security. Companies must establish strict policies regarding AI usage to protect sensitive information. Preventing data leaks to large language models is crucial. Furthermore, developing tools to monitor AI usage within organizations will become increasingly important to safeguard proprietary information.
More columns will roll out over the next few months, highlighting how AI will continue to impact the job market in massive and subtle ways for decades to come.
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Our next guest on âTech Connectsâ is Steve Levy, whoâs the principal talent advisor at DHI Group, Diceâs parent company. As youâll see during our conversation, heâs 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 youâre 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 timeâand 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.
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Our guest for this chat is Torsten Staab, whoâs principal technical fellow at Nightwing, which has probably the coolest company name Iâve ever heard. Nightwing is a spinoff of defense giant Raytheon, and itâs 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, heâs 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.
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Our latest âTech Connectsâ guest is Laura Baldwin, whoâs the president of OâReilly Media. If youâve worked in tech, youâre well aware of OâReillyâs training offerings, which include a massive online learning platform. I wanted to talk with Laura because of her insight into how companies are upskilling their workers for AI, the ethical implications of AI, and much more.
Here are some key takeaways from the discussion:
First, if youâre a manager or executive at most companiesâby which I mean a company that doesnât have tens of millions to spend on AI talent and infrastructureâconsider focusing your efforts on upskilling your existing workforce to work with AI tools, rather than hiring expensive AI specialists.Second, develop an AI strategy before training your employees to ensure they learn the most relevant skills.Third, use AI responsibly and transparently, ensuring proper attribution of content and human oversight to prevent errors. This is especially crucial when you consider how businesses run on trust; if your AI efforts canât be trusted, youâre going to be in big trouble.Fourth, provide ongoing training opportunities and encourage experimentation with new AI tools, as the field is constantly evolving.We hope this episode has helped you to better understand the impact of AI on the job market. AI is a powerful tool that can be used to transform businesses, but it's important to use it wisely.
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. Weâll see you next timeâand 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.
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Our next 'Tech Connects' guest is Steve Ramey, whoâs CEO of IronGate Cybersecurity, a digital forensics and incident response company. I wanted to talk to Steve because he has some unique insights into the current cybersecurity market, including ways to address the current cybersecurity job gaps and train the next generation of cybersecurity pros. Letâs listen in!
I love talking to Steve because of his ability to break down something as complex as the current cybersecurity landscape. Here are some takeaways from our discussion that could help your own thinking:
First, businesses are facing a growing number of cyber attacks, but many are not prepared. They need expertise to respond to these threats, which means allocating a long-term budget and commitment to bulking up cyber-defenses. Cybersecurity is an ongoing process, not a one-time fix, and businesses need to prioritize it to stay secure.
Second, individuals with transferable skills and a willingness to learn can break into cybersecurity careers. There are online courses, communities, and free training platforms to help you gain the necessary skills. Highlighting leadership qualities and initiative on your resume will also make you stand out to potential employers.
Third, the future of cybersecurity is uncertain. Emerging technologies like quantum computing will create new security challenges. The industry is working on solutions, but continuous learning and adaptation will be essential for cybersecurity professionals.
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. Weâll see you next timeâand 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.
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Our latest âTech Connectsâ guest is someone weâve had on the show before: Tigran Sloyan, whoâs the co-founder and CEO of CodeSignal, a startup thatâs trying to improve technical hiring at every stage of the process. CodeSignalâs products aim to present candidates and hiring managers with questions relevant to real-world scenarios, backed by research.
During our last discussion, we chatted about the need to apply A.I. to training and education. Since then, generative A.I. has evolved even further, so I wanted to sit down with him again to chat about everything from internal skills training to the best ways to build a chatbot to how artificial intelligence could fundamentally impact education. Letâs jump in!
Any discussion that takes us from an examination of the Prussian educational system to the frontiers of A.I. is a good one in my book. Here are some additional takeaways from our discussion:
First, while generative A.I. is a revolutionary tool, people have mixed feelings about it, and thereâs still some misunderstanding about the nature and capability of A.I. and large language models. Organizations everywhere need to consider educating their employees about the scope of this tech, as well as what it can and canât do.
Second, even with generative A.I. changing how we work, tech professionals everywhere still need to understand the fundamentals of what they do, and why code works. If youâre writing programming-related prompts, you need to understand exactly what youâre asking for and how itâll be incorporated into a larger project.
Third, generative A.I. may have a huge impact on training and education in future years. Pay attention to the rise of chatbots as tutors. If youâre a student or a junior technologist, this technology could radically change the ways you learn and keep your skills up-to-date.
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. Weâll see you next timeâand 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.
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Our next guest is Adam Seligman, whoâs VP of developer experience at Amazon Web Services, or AWS. In that role, heâs been relentlessly focused on making software more accessible to everyone, no matter what their level of development experience. I wanted to chat with him for a couple of reasons:
First, AWS is launching a portfolio of A.I.-powered helpers and tools for developers, which could fundamentally change how thousands of people build the software of tomorrow.
Second, thereâs a whole new generation of tech professionals who are scoring their first roles as interns, junior developers, and more. Meanwhile, the tech industry is changing rapidly thanks to the evolution of A.I. and other technologies. Adam has some interesting insight into how these new techies can use A.I. to accelerate their problem-solving and early careers.
Here are some additional takeaways from our discussion:
First, generative AI is being used by a wide range of people, from skilled data scientists to early career interns. Whether youâre an experienced tech professional who wants to speed up their coding, or an intern still trying to figure out how to use the building blocks of technology, A.I. can make things a little easier by automating tasks and suggesting improvements.
Second, if youâre running a team or project, consider allowing your interns, junior developers, and other tech professionals just starting out to use A.I. It could allow them to solve some challenges faster.
Third, A.I. as a technology is here to stay. Itâs helpful at this point to figure out how itâll best integrate into your current workflow, whether thatâs designing solutions, writing code, or debugging.
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. Weâll see you next timeâand 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.
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We have a very special edition of Tech Connects this time around. Diceâs latest Tech Salary Report just dropped, and weâre talking to Art Zeile, CEO of DHI Group, the parent company of Dice, about the reportâs takeaways.
When it comes to tech professionals and salary, weâre in a very interesting moment. Last yearâs average tech salary was $111,193, down very slightly from $111,348 in 2022. Thatâs a significant difference from a few years ago, when the average salary rose 9 percent between 2019 and 2021. However, widespread cutbacks in tech spending, combined with mass layoffs in late 2022 and early 2023, put some pressure on salary growth.
But as we get into with Art, there are lots of âgreen shootsâ of growth when it comes to salary, benefits, and more. For example, although compensation has stagnated somewhat in well-established tech hubs such as Silicon Valley and Seattle, itâs grown in up-and-coming tech centers such as Houston and San Diego.
Here are some other key takeaways from the report:
First, organizations will pay a premium for tech professionals who can build out on-premises and cloud infrastructure, especially when that infrastructure powers cutting-edge initiatives such as AI and data analytics. Keep that in mind as you consider which skills to learn next.
Second, PTO usage remained steady in 2023. This suggests more tech professionals recognize the need to take full advantage of their allotted time off. If your workplace has a great PTO policy, take advantage of it; your work-life balance is worth it.
Third, if youâre looking for areas with the fastest-growing salaries, itâs clear from the report that organizations will pay a premium for tech professionals who can build out on-premises and cloud infrastructure, especially when that infrastructure powers cutting-edge initiatives such as AI and data analytics.
Weâll see you next timeâand 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.
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Data is the lifeblood of organizations everywhere. On the latest episode of âTech Connects,â weâre speaking with Steven Hillion, SVP of data and A.I. at Astronomer, a company that helps clients manage their data pipelines. Astronomer is a commercial developer of Airflow, an open-source platform originally developed at Airbnb as a way for that tech giant to manage all of its data platforms and data pipelines.
During our chat, Hillion provides some key insights into so many of the data issues impacting companies today, from verifying the quality of data to fine-tuning the large language models (LLMs) that power the current generation of generative A.I. products.
If youâre someone who works with dataâand increasingly, everyoneâs working with dataâyou may draw some useful information from this episode. Here are some quick takeaways from the discussion:
First, itâs important to define âdata quality.â Is there consistency in your data sets? Is everyone comfortable with the sources, metrics, and outputs? Everyone in your organization should have confidence in your data and the insights youâre producing from it. Fortunately, thereâs a variety of tools that allow you to manage and evaluate data quality.
Second, when it comes to A.I., it might be best to proceed with caution. Embrace the technology, sure, but also keep an eye on what others are doing. Itâs early days for A.I., which means itâs difficult for everyone to find truly the right way forward. Within a year or two, Hillion thinks there will be reference architectures and implementations that will establish some guardrails for A.I. development; but until then, itâs important to be careful as you build and test your own A.I.-based solutions.
Third, if youâre interested in data science as a profession, youâll need to learn a core group of skills, including (but definitely not limited to) Pythonâwhich Steven calls the lingua franca of a data scientistâSQL, machine learning, and statistics.
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. Weâll see you next timeâand 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.
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Our latest âTech Connectsâ guest is Jeanne Cordisco, Chief People Officer of OâReilly Media, which produces books, tech conferences, and an online learning platform for tech professionals who want to upgrade their skills. As CPO, sheâs focused on how HR can tie a companyâs âpeople strategyâ to its broader objectives.
Sheâs advocated for HR to participate in the highest-level decision-making to ensure the right people are being hired and retained, because that ultimately determines how well a company carries out its strategy and delivers for its customers. Letâs listen in as we break down everything from how businesses can retain their tech professionals, to the role HR can play in a companyâs broader strategy:
Here are just a few takeaways from our conversation:
First, if youâre a manager or involved in HR, itâs important to recognize that talented, highly-specialized workers have their pick of jobsâand theyâll leave for a new employer given the right motivations. You need to be very conscious about whether youâre providing a memorable, valuable experience to your employeesâand that goes beyond just salary. For example, collaborative cultures, flexible schedules, and continuous learning can all persuade valuable employees to stay onboard your company.
Second, itâs important to talk to your reports and team members about career progression. Where does an employee want to go? What training do they need to get there? If a tech pro feels like their organization is committed to their growth, theyâre far more likely to stay and deliver their best work.
Third, HR is often considered a support function. But HR needs to play a key role from the beginning in strategic planning. They need to take a companyâs existing skills and resources into consideration, figure out where thereâs a gap, and help formulate a plan to close that gap.
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. Weâll see you next timeâand 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.
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Our latest âTech Connectsâ guest is Tigran Sloyan, whoâs the co-founder and CEO of CodeSignal, a startup thatâs trying to improve technical hiring at every stage of the process. CodeSignalâs products aim to present candidates with questions relevant to real-world scenarios, and hiring managers with questions supported by research. He also wrote a recent piece for Fast Company about the need to apply A.I. to training and education.
I wanted to talk to Tigran about a number of topics, from training and technical interviews to how the rise of A.I. will impact tech careers. Here are some quick takeaways from our chat:
First, anyone whoâs hiring tech professionals must think about skills as more than just keywords on a resume. Tech professionals must be truly competent, which means knowing how any skillâwhether itâs a programming language, knowledge of a framework, or something elseâinteracts with other elements throughout a tech stack and ultimately yields results.
Second, itâs important for the hiring process to actually simulate the job itself. Itâs not enough to ask a candidate brainteasers or math problems copied off another website: you want to see how the candidate would handle the concepts and tools involved in the job itself. Think about that if youâre currently thinking through how to create a great hiring process.
Third, education works best when itâs personalized. A.I. could indeed help us create personalized learning tracks for all kinds of students. While that might raise some questions about the accuracy of what an A.I. is teaching people, you could presumably sidestep that through a system of checks, balances, and evaluations.
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. Weâll see you next timeâand 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.
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Our latest âTech Connectsâ guest is Sastry Durvasula, whoâs the CIO and Client Services Officer of TIAA, the huge provider of financial services for those in academia, government, medicine, and other fields. It has more than a trillion dollars under management. As you can imagine, the tech infrastructure supporting all of that is quite vast, and Durvasula has an enormous job. In addition, heâs also guiding the organization through a digital transformation that includes generative A.I. and other cutting-edge technologies. Letâs listen in as he describes what it takes to grow into and thrive in a senior technology role, and the big changes heâs helping shepherd at TIAA.
If youâre a tech professional whoâs interested in climbing the ladder into a senior management position, I hope you learned something from Durvasulaâs story. Here are some quick takeaways from our discussion.
First, if you want to move into a managerial role, much less take the CIO or CTO seat, you have to focus on people. When youâre running an organizationâs tech, youâre going to be building and decommissioning platforms, and instituting and unwinding processes. Thereâs going to be constant re-engineering. If you want to get through all of that smoothly, you need to invest in people and help them grow, so that theyâll help you and your organization grow in turn.
Second, the higher up you climb in terms of your roles, the more you need to embed yourself in the core business. You need to understand a businessâs domain, its culture, and its problems. Being a technology leader also means often being a business leader. Thatâs a pretty hard shift for some tech professionals, but if you want to make a real difference, you have to take charge and become another voice at the table.
Third, if youâre helping shape your companyâs A.I. policy, it always pays to think âsafety first.â Start by thinking about the guardrails that need to be put in place, and the ways you need to lock down your companyâs data. Once youâve thought all that through, you can put A.I. into production in a safe way.
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. Weâll see you next timeâand 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.
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Our next 'Tech Connects' guest is Tariq Shaukat, whoâs co-CEO of Sonar, a company devoted to enabling developers and other tech professionals to write cleaner code. Previously, he was president of Bumble, and before that, he was President of Google Cloud, where he was responsible for product, engineering, and much more.
I wanted to talk to Tariq because the software industry is at an inflection point. The rise of low- and no-code tools, along with code-writing chatbots like ChatGPT, could fundamentally alter software engineers and developersâ workflows, and even enable people without much coding experience to produce acceptable software. With its tools providing analysis and coding guidance, Sonar could help developers navigate this interesting new environment. Letâs listen in!
Here are some quick takeaways from our chat:
First, while the current generation of code generatorsâsay that five times fastâis exciting, the practice of coding is going to need human attention for quite some time to come. Thereâs every chance that auto-generated code could introduce security, compliance, and other issues into your tech stack.
Second, across every industry, more and more companies are becoming âsoftwareâ companies. Developers are more important than ever to a companyâs strategy and outcomes. If you can build software in a reliable and secure way, youâll find a plethora of opportunities in a wide variety of placesâyou donât have to focus your job-hunting efforts exclusively on the tech industry.
Third, tools such as Sonar will likely lead to even more people within an organization generating code, even if they donât come from a traditional tech background. If youâre in any kind of management or team leader position, keep that in mind as you plot workflows for your future products.
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Our next âTech Connectsâ guest is Ed Frederici, whoâs CTO of Appfire, which is a company that builds apps that boost enterprise collaboration and workflows. Heâs focused on ways to enhance the functionality of companiesâ software ecosystems, especially if theyâre trying to manage projects and services across multiple platforms and tools. That gives him fascinating insights into key issues such as automation, democratizing data, acquisitions, and knocking down internal silos so tech pros can work more effectively.
Here are some takeaways from the conversation with Frederici that I found particularly interesting:
First, itâs important to keep in mind that A.I. isnât going to instantly solve all of your problems and challenges. As A.I. tools and services become more sophisticated, you should think of them as force multipliers, freeing up time and resources so you can focus on things that truly matter. Itâs an enhancement for work, not a replacement.
Second, scaling up is a key goal at many tech companies. However, scale isnât something you achieve purely though tools or even tacticsâinstead, it comes down to building an effective culture that allows you to recognize great opportunities and work toward them. You ultimately need people who are engaged, well-trained, and who know what theyâre doing.
Third, siloing is a huge issue. A lack of transparency and an inability to share learnings and data can prevent teams and companies from achieving their goals. In the end, it comes down to the three âcâs: communication, coordination, and collaboration. If teams can effectively communicate, coordinate, and collaborate, those silo walls will come crashing down.
Fourth, if youâre going through an acquisition or acquihire, you can make a difficult process a little easier by assuming good intentions. Donât let the uncertainties of the situation drive you completely insane. Instead, making a point of asking questions and doing your best to keep lines of communication open.
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. Weâll see you next timeâand 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 for more information.
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