In a bold move addressing the pressing global talent shortage, ManpowerGroup Inc. (NYSE: MAN), a leader in workforce solutions, announced a strategic partnership with Hubert, a trailblazer in AI-powered interviewing. The collaboration aims to enhance the hiring process through a "Humans First, Digital Always" approach, ensuring that human judgment remains central in recruitment decisions.

1. Tackling the Talent Challenge

As organizations worldwide grapple with talent shortages—72% of employers report difficulties in finding skilled candidates—the need for innovative hiring practices has never been more urgent. ManpowerGroup recognizes this challenge and emphasizes the importance of adapting hiring strategies to meet evolving expectations. Candidates today are looking for processes that recognize their potential beyond mere credentials, while employers demand precision, fairness, and timely access to qualified talent.

The Role of AI in Hiring

With AI increasingly becoming integrated into recruitment, the partnership with Hubert introduces structured, AI-powered interviews that promise several key benefits:

Faster Screening: By leveraging AI for initial candidate assessments, organizations can identify qualified candidates earlier in the hiring process, ensuring quicker feedback for applicants and helping firms secure top talent ahead of competitors.

Improved Matching Accuracy: The structured, criteria-based nature of interviews ensures candidates are evaluated against specific role requirements, leading to higher satisfaction rates for both businesses and candidates.

Bias Reduction: The partnership emphasizes transparency, with all candidates evaluated using the same standards, fostering a more equitable hiring process.

Flexible Engagement: Over 60% of candidates prefer to complete interviews outside traditional office hours, allowing them to engage on their own schedule while providing organizations with a broader talent pool.

2. Keeping Human Judgment at the Forefront

Valerie Beaulieu-James, Chief Growth & Innovation Officer at ManpowerGroup, highlighted the importance of this partnership by stating, "This partnership puts people at the center of hiring, candidates and employers alike." The initiative aims to allow recruiters to focus on aspects of hiring that AI cannot replicate—such as understanding potential, building trust, and connecting people to meaningful work.

Fredrik Östgren, CEO of Hubert, echoed this sentiment, asserting that every candidate deserves a fair and smooth assessment experience, regardless of when or where they apply. He emphasized the goal of making hiring more accessible and equitable at scale, with ManpowerGroup as a trusted partner amplifying this impact globally.

3. Future Expansion Plans

The partnership is set to expand throughout 2026, following successful deployments across multiple markets. ManpowerGroup is committed to integrating Hubert's AI capabilities within its broader ecosystem to enhance workforce resilience. This includes potential-based assessments, personalized career development through MyPath, and leveraging labor market intelligence from the Work Intelligence Lab—all designed with ethics in mind and human oversight.

4. About ManpowerGroup

ManpowerGroup is a leading global workforce solutions company dedicated to helping organizations navigate the rapidly changing world of work. With a legacy spanning over 75 years, it provides innovative solutions for a vast array of organizations, connecting them with skilled talent while fostering meaningful employment for millions across various industries. The company is recognized for its commitment to inclusion, equality, and ethical practices, having been named one of the World's Most Ethical Companies multiple times.

5. About Hubert

Hubert is an innovator in AI-powered interviewing, designed to streamline the hiring process. Its platform facilitates structured, criteria-based screenings that minimize bias and enhance candidate engagement, ultimately delivering better outcomes for both job seekers and recruiters.

As the partnership unfolds, both ManpowerGroup and Hubert are poised to redefine the hiring landscape, ensuring that the future of recruitment is both efficient and equitable.

Original press release