Work Intelligence Lab

In this episode of the ManpowerGroup Work Intelligence Lab podcast, hosts Karla Fletcher and John Julitz discuss how rapidly changing skills and surging job applications are reshaping hiring, and speak with Greg Dunbar of Hubert.ai about the “talent differentiation crisis,” where mass-apply tools and AI-written CVs are making candidates harder to distinguish. 

Greg shares how Hubert.ai is rethinking hiring by replacing CV screening, application forms, and phone screens with short, structured, skills-based “predictive interviews” delivered via text or voice, designed to be low-stress and completed on candidates’ own time. 

He explains how poor AI interview experiences can drive candidate drop-off, while Hubert reports high completion rates and strong candidate satisfaction. Greg also discusses AI fatigue, the importance of starting with the problem rather than the technology, and why Hubert uses a hybrid approach combining LLMs for conversational experience with deterministic scoring for fairness, transparency, and compliance with enterprise standards and evolving regulations like the EU AI Act. 

Chapters:

00:00 Intro

01:38 Meet Hubert and Greg

02:58 Talent Differentiation Crisis

05:10 Predictive Interviewing Explained

07:29 Candidate Drop Off Myth

11:15 AI Fatigue and Education

17:25 Safety Fairness and Scoring

24:59 Hybrid AI Not LLM Scoring

27:42 Noise Regulation and Moats

36:48 Human First Recruiting Future

39:47 Choosing Vendors and Wrap Up

On the Work Intelligence Lab podcast, John Julitz and Karla Fletcher talk with ManpowerGroup futurist and author of the Workforce Trends report, “The Human Edge,” Alexandra Levit about separating AI hype from reality, including headlines claiming AI could eliminate half of entry-level white-collar jobs. Alex argues that the bigger issue is blunt-force automation and AI “sameness” while emphasizing that large-scale job loss is unlikely, though painful adjustments and rehiring cycles may occur. 

She promotes work-based learning from an early age to build “pre-industrial” human skills—curiosity, problem-solving, creativity, storytelling, and judgment—arguing technical skills like basic coding will erode first.  

The discussion covers measuring soft skills via talent intelligence, the US education-to-work disconnect versus Europe’s apprenticeship model, growing interest in trades, and why workers must develop applied AI skills to augment—not replace—their roles. 

Deb Cupp, President and Chief Revenue Officer for Microsoft’s Enterprise Business, joins the ManpowerGroup’s Work Intelligence Lab Podcast to discuss why AI adoption varies among employees and clients—and what organizations can do to close the gap. 

Deb explains that education, understanding, and ongoing skilling are key to reducing fear and uncertainty around AI, helping people recognize the opportunities it creates. She argues that successful AI transformation is not just about the technology itself, but about effective change management, with people at the center and practitioners closest to business challenges helping shape the solutions. 

She also highlights the importance of combining strong leadership direction with bottom-up momentum, guided by clear ROI and KPIs to ensure organizations focus on meaningful outcomes rather than chasing “shiny objects.” 

Drawing on real-world examples, Deb shares how Microsoft sales teams use Copilot to prepare for customer conversations and proposals—driving a 9% improvement in outcomes. In healthcare, AI-powered transcription and paperwork automation are reducing administrative fatigue and improving the experience for clinicians by 30–40%. 

Chapters: 

00:00 AI Adoption & Fear of the Unknown 

02:48 Unexpected Learnings & Change Management 

05:17 From Productivity to Outcomes 

07:21 Building Trust in AI Adoption

Join us on the latest episode of the Work Intelligence Lab podcast as we dive deep into the transformative power of AI in the industry with Valerie Beaulieu James, the Chief Growth and Innovation Officer at ManpowerGroup. Learn how AI is reshaping talent architecture, enhancing productivity, and addressing the widening threat of inequality. 

At Schneider Electric, AI-assisted maintenance has delivered remarkable impact—reducing technician turnover from 50% to just 6% while also accelerating product launches and improving operational efficiency. 

The conversation highlights that effective AI adoption depends on trust built through skilling, leadership, and aligning dataset, skillset, and mindset. 

They also explore how to make industry more attractive to youth, elevate vocational roles, learn from Switzerland’s apprenticeship model, redefine productivity as better outputs rather than “more with less,” and address digital divide risks, including for frontline workers and women. 

#AI #Leadership #Innovation #TalentManagement #Podcast #FutureOfWork #Inclusion #ManpowerGroup #SchneiderElectric 

AI is here, and it’s changing the way we work—but are we ready for it? 

In this episode of the Work Intelligence Lab podcast, we explore how AI is reshaping the workplace. Kicking off our special mini-series, The Human Edge: Leading People and Technology Through the Now and the Next, this conversation gets under the headlines to examine what responsible, people-centered AI adoption really looks like. From boosting productivity to enhancing job satisfaction, AI is a game changer. But it’s not just about implementing tech; it’s about training and empowering our teams to use it effectively. 

Stephanie Cohen, Chief Strategy Officer at Cloudflare, shares her insights on the importance of security and fostering a culture of curiosity when integrating AI. The discussion emphasizes the human aspects of AI integration, highlighting the necessity for curiosity, empathy, and innovation in the workplace. 

Chapters:  

00:00 The Human Edge: AI and Productivity 

05:27 AI in Action: Successes and Challenges 

07:39 Curiosity and Grit in AI Utilization 

09:49 Content Creators and AI Transparency 

11:33 Differences in Workforce Approaches to AI 

12:45 The Future of AI in Enterprise Processes 

With up to $330 million annual losses at stake due to talent shortages, the aerospace and defense sector is at a breaking point. In this episode, Karla Fletcher sits down with Leanne Cann, People Services Director at Babcock International, to discuss why traditional hiring models are no longer fit for purpose and what needs to change. 

They discuss the company's innovative approaches to addressing the talent shortage in the aerospace and defense industry. From international recruitment drives to implementing emerging talent programs and strategic partnerships with local universities and communities, Babcock is redefining traditional hiring practices. Leanne also delves into the role of AI in streamlining the hiring process and emphasizes the importance of human interaction in talent acquisition.  

Highlights: 

• The "Perfect Storm": Why traditional "experienced hire" recruitment is no longer enough to solve the skills gap. 
• Emerging Talent & Rebranding: How Babcock scaled from 350 to 850 graduates and apprentices by redefining "Early Careers". 
• Transferable Skills: The "Train to Fit" program with a 93% conversion rate, focusing on potential over pre-existing technical skills. 
• The Role of AI: Where Babcock uses technology for speed and where human judgment remains non-negotiable. 
• Community Investment: Building pipelines through 7,000 hours of annual STEM activities and local university partnerships. 

Tune in to learn how Babcock is building a resilient pipeline of skilled workers and contributing to local community growth. 

From Talent Pools to Talent Meshes in the Future of Healthcare Workforce Planning

In this episode of the Work Intelligence Lab podcast, our host Karla Fletcher sits down with Jonathan Shilton from Sanofi to explore the complexities and future of workforce planning in the biopharma sector.  

With a sobering forecast of a potential 10 million health worker shortfall by 2030, the discussion covers how Sanofi is leveraging data, AI, and innovative workforce strategies to prepare for this challenge. Jonathan shares insights on connecting the dots between internal and external workforces, the role of artificial intelligence and data hygiene, and the ethical considerations in deploying AI in healthcare.  

This in-depth conversation sheds light on the critical need for foundational work in workforce management to ensure future success and better patient care.

Chapters:

01:52 Introducing Jonathan Shilton and His Role at Sanofi 

04:18 The Importance of Visibility and Skills in Workforce Management 

06:36 AI and Data Hygiene in Healthcare 

09:07 Global Workforce Standardization and AI Implementation 

18:02 Future of Healthcare and Workforce Transformation 

24:57 Voices in Technology: Builders, Sellers, and Clients 

29:21 Future Workforce Trends and Career Planning 

31:06 The Role of Generalists and Specialists in the Modern Workforce 

35:00 Global Demographic Challenges and Workforce Planning 

37:39 The Power of Data in Workforce Strategy 

42:18 Exciting Innovations and Future Collaborations 

In this enlightening episode of Work Intelligence Lab by ManpowerGroup, hosts Karla Fletcher and John Juliz who dive deep into what productivity truly means in today's rapidly evolving work environment. Joined by Dean Carter, a renowned leader in innovative employee experience, the conversation explores the intersection of purpose, culture, and productivity. Dean shares invaluable insights from his transformative work at Patagonia, emphasizing the importance of leaving every interaction better and his journey to writing 'Employee Experience Design.' The discussion also touches on the critical role of AI, the importance of fostering a culture of trust, and the transformative power of risk-taking with purpose. Tune in to learn how to reimagine productivity, leverage data for people-centric strategies, and create a thriving workplace. 

Chapters 

00:00 Introduction 

02:52 Employee Experience Design 

04:59 Patagonia's Purpose Evolution 

06:09 Regenerative Agriculture and Culture 

13:33 AI and Workforce Dynamics 

18:51 Human-Centric Work Culture 

26:13 Knowledge Sharing and Workforce Dynamics 

27:13 The Role of AI in Creativity and Curiosity 

29:26 Human Elements in Productivity 

31:54 Innovative Approaches to Employee Engagement 

35:19 Measuring Energy Levels and Productivity 

38:14 Rethinking Compensation and Risk-Taking 

44:49 Purpose-Driven Leadership and Risk-Taking 

52:42 Conclusion and Upcoming Book 

In this episode of ManpowerGroup's Workforce Intelligence Lab podcast, our host Rebekah Kowalski explores critical topics in modern manufacturing with Liz Stuck and Berardino Baratta from MXD (Manufacturing Times Digital). They discuss the value of resources like the EV hiring guide, the impact of digital and cybersecurity advancements on U.S. manufacturing, and the critical need of upskilling the workforce. With over 2 million manufacturing jobs needing to be filled by 2030, the conversation highlights the importance of continuous learning, agility, and equitable workforce strategies to keep the US manufacturing sector competitive. 

Hashtags: 

#MxDLearn #Workforce #Manufacturing #New Technologies 

Chapters: 

00:00 Introduction 

02:19 Addressing the Manufacturing Skills Gap 

05:41 Exploring Electronic Vehicles (EV) in Manufacturing 

10:33 Adapting to New Technologies and Continuous Learning 

16:34 Closing Thoughts: Moving Technology and Workforce Together 

In this episode of the Work Intelligence Lab podcast, host Karla speaks with Dr. Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, author and advisor to ManpowerGroup's Work Intelligence Lab, about the complex topic of authenticity in the workplace and the challenges of promoting it at work.

They delve into why simply telling employees to 'be themselves' can be counterproductive and potentially harmful and discuss how creating an inclusive culture is essential for true diversity and inclusion. Dr. Tomas also shares insights from his book 'Don't Be Yourself' and the importance of balancing emotional intelligence with authenticity.

This episode is packed with thought-provoking ideas and practical advice for HR leaders and anyone interested in workplace culture.