By Elvira Pollina and Martin Coulter
Italian Regulator Faces Talent Acquisition Hurdles
MILAN/LONDON, March 22 (Reuters) – After Italian watchdog Garante faced a temporary shutdown last year, it attempted to bolster its AI expertise by recruiting four specialists. However, the agency encountered difficulties in attracting suitable candidates due to concerns over remuneration, leading to a dozen candidates backing out of the process.
Guida Scorza, a board member at Garante, expressed disappointment, stating, “The search process was even more challenging than we expected.”
Global Demand for AI Talent
The unveiling of ChatGPT by OpenAI in late 2022 triggered a surge in demand for AI professionals across various sectors. Regulators worldwide found themselves competing for a limited pool of skilled individuals.
Industry insiders noted that issues such as comparatively low salaries, protracted hiring procedures, and visa complications posed obstacles to fulfilling their recruitment objectives.
These challenges have become more pressing as the European Union implements comprehensive AI regulations, necessitating the recruitment of personnel for crucial oversight roles.
EU and UK Recruitment Efforts
Dragos Tudorache, an EU legislator involved in drafting the AI Act, highlighted the looming challenge of enforcement due to potential staffing shortages.
Meanwhile, the UK is actively recruiting for its AI Safety Institute, established following a global summit in October.
Despite offering salaries below industry standards, public sector positions in these organizations are attracting recent graduates, raising concerns about their ability to lure top talent.
Government Initiatives Worldwide
Recognizing the critical need for AI expertise, governments globally are scrambling to secure the necessary talent to navigate the complexities of modern technology.
The U.S., under President Joe Biden, has demonstrated a willingness to offer competitive salaries and streamline recruitment processes to attract AI specialists.
In contrast, EU agencies have faced challenges in securing qualified personnel, with salary offerings falling short of industry benchmarks.
Similarly, the AI Safety Institute in the UK has managed to lure experts from leading tech firms by offering compelling incentives and emphasizing the importance of their mission.
Challenges and Recommendations
A recent report from the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change urged the UK government to reconsider recruitment norms, relax pay restrictions, and introduce new visas to attract tech talent.
Benedict Macon-Cooney, Chief Policy Strategist at the institute, emphasized the need for a significant shift in skills and culture to successfully address the talent shortage in government roles.
Amid these challenges, regulators and policymakers around the world are grappling with the task of acquiring AI talent essential for effective oversight and enforcement mechanisms.
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(Additional reporting by Foo Yun Chee in Brussels; Editing by Matt Scuffham and Alexander Smith)
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