The Talent Needed Fill The AI Skill Gap
Anna Mowbray, co-founder of Zuru and current CEO and founder of the job marketplace startup ZEIL has gone from being at the top of a sector to a startup. When asked why she didn’t choose to relax on a beach after her success with Zuru, she quipped, “I’m not good with holidays. I have like the 10-day itch. My biggest fear is actually being stagnant and not moving forward.” This relentless drive has defined her career. Helping to buid Zuru into one of the largest toy companies globally was an extraordinary journey shaped by the dynamic business environment in China. Mowbray emphasised the importance of adaptability and efficiency, skills she honed during her time there.
Transitioning from toys to tech, Mowbray’s latest venture, ZEIL, has been described as “the Tinder for jobs,” ZEIL aims to revolutionise the job marketplace by leveraging data and AI. Mowbray’s insights into the sector revealed a glaring stagnation. “For 28 years, nothing has happened in that sector other than a digitisation of a classified ad from the back of a newspaper,” she noted. Her solution? A data-first, image-centric platform that resonates with Gen Z and millennials, who now dominate the workforce.
One of the recurring themes in Mowbray’s discussion was the importance of culture and attitude within an organisation. “When I hire people, I look for three most important things: attitude above all else, EQ, and then IQ,” she stated. This focus on a positive, growth-oriented mindset permeates ZEIL’s culture, much like it did at Zuru. Mowbray shared, “We’ve done a couple of all-nighters with the team… that’s the bonding stuff. It’s the beauty of those moments that really help to solidify and bring a team together.”
Mowbray’s enthusiasm for AI’s potential was palpable. ZEIL’s partnership with Google has enabled them to integrate AI into various aspects of their platform, from job posting to CV curation. “We’re using Google’s Vertex model and now Gemini, and we’ve already built AI into the job posting flow,” Mowbray explained. The goal is to democratise access to employment, making it easier for individuals from diverse backgrounds to find opportunities that align with their skills.
Looking ahead, Mowbray sees significant changes on the horizon, particularly in education. She argued that the traditional education system might become less relevant as AI and technology advance. “How do you teach people to ask the right questions to get the answers?” she mused. The ability to leverage AI and continuously adapt will be crucial for future generations.
As the discussion drew to a close, Mowbray posed a thought-provoking question to the audience: “What are you going to do with your 30 years of extra life?” With advancements in healthcare and robotics, life expectancy is soaring, offering unprecedented opportunities for personal and professional growth. For Mowbray, the answer is clear: “I’m excited to get to work for another 30 years. That’s my happy place.”
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