🦾 Will AI Help Or Hurt Diversity?

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Will AI Help Or Hurt Diversity?

On each LinkedIn Live I host and every talent conference I attend.

This question keeps popping up…

Its the most important talent topic of the year.

But a difficult topic that very few are able to discuss.

That’s why I’m so happy I’ve finally been able to track down and book, global talent sourcing expert and leading AI voice Vanessa Raath.

With years of experience training recruiters around the world and helping companies build more inclusive sourcing strategies, Vanessa brings a unique perspective on how AI is reshaping hiring.

On our next LinkedIn Live we’ll unpack what’s hype, what’s real, and what it means for diversity in recruitment:

🟡 Is AI removing bias in hiring or reinforcing it in new ways?
🟡 What should employers watch out for to stay inclusive?
🟡 Is AI going to get rid of recruiters?
🟡 How can recruiters and hiring managers use AI tools responsibly?
🟡 The risks of relying on algorithms to assess “culture fit” or potential
🟡 What AI means for underrepresented candidates trying to break in

Is A Degree A Waste Of Money?

51% of Gen Z say yes.
41% of Millennials say yes.
20% of Baby Boomers say yes.

According to an Indeed survey the rate of grads regretting their degrees is on the rise.

68% of Gen Z said they could do their job without their degrees.

45% of Gen Z feel AI has made their degree irrelevant.

Now that many more applicants have degrees, competition for graduate programmes and roles requiring degrees is through the roof.

When I graduated in 2017, it almost felt automatic that I’d get onto a grad scheme.

It wasn’t so much that I needed to know about Economics to be good at a job.

It was a signal to employers that I was the type of person to stick out 3 years of quantitative economics (never again), which was a signal I’d be a solid employee.

Combine that with some application prep and decent communication in the interviews…

✅ Job done.

But nowadays the bar is so much higher, which is why I see so many young professionals with side hustles, extra coding courses and a podcast.

They’re building skills in their spare time and developing drive, no longer relying on their degrees making them even more effective when they turn up on day one for their first job.

For employers, I’m seeing a shift with more no longer asking for degrees.

Is that a good thing?

Overall, yes. But…

We should also be careful not to go too far the other way and overlook skills young people are developing in and around University.

Hard and soft skills that allow them to have an impact when they join your organisation.

Ironically individuals from underrepresented backgrounds are attending university at an increasingly higher rate.

So let’s not completely discount the degree especially in the name of DE&I.

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Until next time 👋🏽

Tobi

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