The Tech Talent Shift: Navigating AI, DEI, and Next-Gen Workforce Demands

People Managing People

What do tech hiring, Olympic figure skating, and the shifting tides of global work culture have in common? According to Ann Kuss, CEO of Outstaff Your Team, more than you'd think. In this episode, Ann joins David Rice to dissect the rapidly evolving landscape of tech talent: who's winning, who's losing, and why so many companies are still playing yesterday's game with today's rules. From the rise of AI-native roles to the global appetite for remote work, Ann unpacks the contradictions shaping how we recruit, retain, and reskill in 2025 and beyond.

David and Ann explore the dual realities in tech hiring: one where AI-driven skillsets command premium salaries, and another where traditional roles face declining value and shrinking budgets. They also dig into the elusive promise of cognitive diversity, the myth of the "perfect skill fit," and why Gen Z talent won't be lured by ping pong tables and kombucha anymore.

Related Links:

• Join the People Managing People community forum
• Subscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcasts
• Check out this episode’s sponsor: Oyster HR, Inc.
• Connect with Ann on LinkedIn
• Check out Outstaff Your Team

Support the show

Chapters

1. Job Stability in Today's Market (00:00:00)

2. Figure Skating in Tech Recruitment (00:06:59)

3. Building Cognitive Diversity in Tech Teams (00:08:36)

4. Remote Work: What Talent Truly Wants (00:12:05)

5. Shifting Candidate Priorities and Stability (00:15:58)

6. Tech Skills in 2025: A Parallel Reality (00:18:08)

7. Critical Tech Roles of the Future (00:22:12)