Generative AI: Transforming Talent Acquisition and Upskilling | Panel Discussion

One of our investors, Steve Eskenazi, dives into the shifting world of talent with two current and one ex-Founder.

• Brett Waikart: CEO of Skillful.ly, building AI-powered platforms for demonstration-based candidate assessment.

• Sanjoe Jose: CEO of Talview.com, focusing on AI-driven proctoring and interview intelligence for fair, secure hiring.

• Prasad Raje: Ex-Chief Product Officer at Udemy, expert in enterprise talent upskilling and workforce transformation.

  
  

In today's rapidly evolving job market, the integration of artificial intelligence is reshaping how companies identify, recruit, and develop talent. From the challenges of AI-enhanced resumes to the opportunities for more precise skills assessments and continuous learning, this discussion delves into the paradigm shifts occurring across industries. The panellists uncover how AI is not only disrupting traditional hiring practices but also paving the way for a more dynamic and skills-focused future.

---

Inventus Capital Partners Panel, Nov 28, 2024 Watch the full video on YouTube

0:00 – 1:05 | Opening & Speaker IntroductionPanel is introduced by Steve Eskenazi, an investor and former venture capitalist, alongside Brett Waikart (CEO, Skillfully), Sanjoe Jose (CEO, Talview), and Prasad Raje (ex-CPO, Udemy). Sets context on how AI is reshaping talent and the world of work.Jump to 0:00

1:05 – 3:50 | The Resume and Skills MismatchStories from the field emphasize the disconnect between resumes, credentials, and actual skill. Traditional qualifications are less reliable as signals of ability—AI amplifies both resume inflation and the need for real skills validation.Jump to 1:05

3:50 – 7:30 | The AI-Enhanced Job Market & Its ChallengesAI-powered tools are now widely used by job-seekers to optimize resumes and automate high-scale job applications, creating an unprecedented volume of submissions and an "AI arms race" between applicants and recruiters.Jump to 3:50

7:30 – 11:30 | Skillfully’s Simulation-Based ApproachBrett Waikart explains how Skillfully uses AI-driven workplace simulations to go beyond resumes, allowing applicants to demonstrate skills through dynamic, real-world scenarios. This process delivers a granular picture of candidate capabilities and helps employers sidestep automated resume screening.Jump to 7:30

11:30 – 15:00 | AI in Interviews and Talent AssessmentSanjoe Jose shares how Talview leverages AI for proctoring and interview agents to stop fraud, improve interviewer consistency, and provide objective post-interview insights. GenAI has made interview fraud easier, but AI is also making interviews more secure and insightful.Jump to 11:30

15:00 – 18:30 | Continuous Upskilling and the Role of EnterprisesPrasad Raje (formerly of Udemy) discusses the massive demand for ongoing upskilling amid constant change. Modern organizations use AI to identify skill gaps, personalize learning, and power a shift from one-time training to continuous, skills-based development.Jump to 15:00

18:30 – 22:25 | GenAI: Threats & Opportunities for HR Tech StartupsPanel discusses how AI brings both disruption and opportunity: start-ups can pivot fast, incumbents struggle to keep up. GenAI can be misused, but also opens doors for real-time, adaptive skills validation—driving a generational shift in talent acquisition technology.Jump to 18:30

22:25 – 25:50 | The Upskilling Imperative & PersonalizationAI-enabled platforms now allow for deeply personalized, on-demand learning paths for employees at all stages, aligning skill intake (hiring) with upskilling and long-term talent strategies.Jump to 22:25

25:50 – 27:47 | Closing Remarks & Future OutlookThe panel emphasizes that the entire employee lifecycle—from hiring, assessment, to upskilling—will be continuously transformed by generative AI, and that both startups and large organizations must adapt to keep up with this paradigm shift.Jump to 25:50