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In our recent episode of HR’s Most Dangerous Podcast, Joel and I had the honor of welcoming a very special guest—Lord Nat Wei, the first Chinese-born member of the British Parliament.
With a background spanning technology consulting, social entrepreneurship, and recruitment, Lord Wei shared insights on how AI can revolutionize workforce training and recruitment, addressing current challenges and future opportunities.
Lord Wei’s journey into politics was accidental. Starting as a consultant at McKinsey, he co-founded Teach First, the UK’s version of Teach for America. His diverse background underscores his commitment to providing opportunities for those from underprivileged backgrounds.
Ensuring AI benefits everyone through upskilling
Lord Wei discussed his efforts to ensure AI benefits everyone, not just the tech-savvy elite. “What is become evident to me is that there needs to be a massive shift now, a massive transition to get everybody ready for the world of AI that's coming and to make sure that it isn’t just with respect to the tech bros and their friends,” he said. His partnership with ThisWay Global, led by Angela Hood, aims to create a training program targeting the unemployed, underemployed, and those distant from the workplace. The goal is to equip them with AI skills through an intensive yet flexible training program.
One highlight was the competency-based approach to recruitment ThisWay Global has developed. This method removes biases related to names, ages, genders, and educational backgrounds, focusing purely on the competencies required for the job. “You don’t know their name, you don’t know their age, you don’t know their gender, you don’t know what education they had. All you have is the competencies you want to fill. And then it just goes out and finds people where you will never think to look,” explained Lord Wei. This can uncover a vast pool of talented individuals who might otherwise be overlooked.
Lord Wei shared a compelling example of this technology in action. In a case involving a government seeking to redeploy workers from collapsing industries, the AI system matched displaced workers with new roles that traditional methods would not have identified. This approach may address immediate employment challenges and enhances the efficiency and fairness of the recruitment process.
How else is AI impacting the workplace?
We also discussed the broader implications of AI in the workplace. With rapid advancements in technology, talent acquisition teams are overwhelmed by the increased volume of applications, many generated by AI tools. Lord Wei suggested that rather than relying on massive software solutions, companies should consider more agile, plug-and-play systems. “I think what's happening now is you get this plug and play system that can speak to whichever thing you've got.
Lord Wei addressed fears surrounding AI and job displacement. He highlighted that AI, when used correctly, can free up human workers from mundane tasks, allowing them to focus on more meaningful aspects of their jobs. “I think it will feel a bit less dystopian if we get it right and a lot more, this is about making life easier and frankly, freeing workers up to talk to the people like Nat, when I was applying for university, who you would never have get the time to get round talking to,” he noted.
In terms of policy, Lord Wei advised corporate leaders to pilot AI solutions in safe, controlled environments to understand their benefits and limitations before full-scale implementation. “Pilot stuff, right? 'Cause there's two options, you either sit back and wait for all the court cases to clear out with opening whoever as things work out, or you wait for the government to tell you what to do. And I'm afraid both don't work,” he cautioned.
In closing, we discussed the need for nuanced immigration policies that distinguish between different types of migrants. He advocated for training programs that can rapidly upskill migrants, integrating them into the workforce and addressing labor shortages while benefiting local populations.
Lord Wei’s appearance highlighted the transformative potential of AI in workforce training and recruitment. By focusing on competencies, reducing biases, and embracing agile technology solutions, businesses can create a more inclusive and efficient employment landscape. For those interested in learning more, he directed listeners to Maker Year and ThisWay Global, where they can explore innovative approaches to meet the challenges of tomorrow’s workforce. So, go ahead and dive in—unless you’re one of those CEOs still scared of AI. In that case, good luck.
