"Making People Smarter about People”: The role of technology and ethics in building world class hiring systems

"We bring data and insights right from that data to our decision-makers... that's how we make people smarter about people." - Christina Norris Watts

This episode offers a unique perspective on balancing innovation with ethics in the rapidly changing world of HR technology.

My co-pilot for this journey is Christina Norris Watts, Head of Assessment and People Practices Johnson & Johnson.

We start the episode with some serendipity, both relaying that Band aids are our favorite J&J product. After sharing some fun stories, we dive deeply into the evolving landscape of talent assessment in HR, and the amazing work Chiristina has done to help create a best in class assessment center of excellence.

We focus on the role of scientific methods in safely and ethically exploring the new frontiers of AI in the workplace. Of course no podcast these days would be complete without some discussion of large language models. We got that covered, as we wax poetic on how LLMs are revolutionizing HR practices. But wait, there’s more! Christina and I discuss the importance of data-driven decision-making, the ethical implications of AI in HR, and the future of talent management.

Key Takeaways:

Integration of AI in HR: The episode highlights the growing importance of integrating AI and large language models in HR processes for better decision-making.

Ethical Considerations: Christina discusses the ethical aspects of using AI in HR, emphasizing transparency and fairness, noting their importance as a guiding star.

Importance of Data-Driven HR: The conversation underscores the need for HR to be data-driven, using insights from data to inform decisions about talent management.

Challenges in HR Innovations: The episode addresses practical challenges in implementing new technologies in HR, including system integration and maintaining the validity of assessments.

Future of HR Technology: Christina shares thoughts on the future of HR technology, particularly the potential shift towards more passive assessment methods.

Role of HR in Innovation: The importance of HR's involvement in technological innovations within a company is discussed, particularly in terms of ethical considerations and understanding job changes. This episode offers a comprehensive look into the future of HR technology and the critical role of data and ethics in shaping HR practices.