How to hire like it’s 2030

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Navigating the Future of Hiring: AI’s Impact on Talent in 2030

At Web Summit Vancouver 2025, a panel discussed the transformative impact of AI on hiring and talent development by 2030. Mr. Andrew McLeod, Co-founder and CEO of Certn, and Professor Arun Sundararajan, Harold Price Professor of Entrepreneurship at NYU, offered contrasting perspectives on the integration of AI in the workplace.

Mr. McLeod emphasized the growing importance of AI literacy, predicting a future where employees bring their own AI agents to work. These personalized AI teams would enhance individual productivity and reshape team dynamics. He highlighted how even non-coders are leveraging AI tools to outperform experienced programmers, demonstrating the potential shift towards valuing communication and human skills over purely technical expertise.

Professor Sundararajan acknowledged the current AI hype cycle while emphasizing the undeniable, albeit gradual, transformative impact of AI. He stressed the need for individuals to discern between tasks best suited for humans and those better handled by AI. He also predicted a rise in mid-career talent transitions as occupations evolve, drawing parallels with historical shifts in manufacturing jobs due to automation. Professor Sundararajan cautioned against overestimating the short-term pace of change, noting that large organizations often lag in implementation.

Mr. McLeod countered that while large companies might be slow to adapt, the rapid advancements in AI could disrupt the established hierarchy of leading businesses. He pointed to the declining number of new graduate programs in major consulting firms as an early indicator of this shift. He also highlighted the potential for AI to level the playing field, enabling individuals with strong communication skills and AI proficiency to excel, regardless of traditional educational backgrounds.

The discussion concluded with a focus on the changing role of academic institutions in preparing students for an AI-driven future. The panelists agreed on the need for educational reform to equip the next generation with the skills to effectively collaborate with AI, emphasizing critical thinking and communication as essential human skills in this evolving landscape.