Samwise High Tech Recruiting Newsletter
Saturday, August 29, 2026
Nvidia Reportedly Near $12.9 Billion Acquisition of Open-Source AI Platform Hugging Face
Nvidia has reportedly reached a deal to acquire Hugging Face, the widely used open-source AI model platform, for approximately $12.9 billion — a transaction that would mark the chipmaker’s largest-ever takeover, CNBC reported Thursday. Hugging Face, founded in 2016, hosts one of the most popular repositories for sharing and downloading open-source AI models used by developers worldwide. Sources cited by The Information described a signed agreement; Business Insider reported active discussions without a confirmed deal. The acquisition would expand Nvidia’s reach beyond semiconductor hardware into the software and model ecosystem at the center of AI development.
Three Skilled Trade Job Openings for Every Qualified Worker, Lightcast Report Finds
A new Lightcast report finds there are approximately 20 million skilled trade jobs in the United States, with roughly 2.1 million openings each year — three open positions for every qualified worker available — creating a talent deficit of approximately 1.3 million people, HR Dive reported Friday. The shortfall is especially acute in technology infrastructure: data centers have added approximately 315,000 skilled trade positions over the past five years, according to the Lightcast data. The report documents a structural mismatch between the pace of infrastructure expansion and the pipeline of trained workers available to fill growing demand.
AI Agents Could Cut HR Headcount by 30–50% by 2030, But Experts Say Human Roles Will Persist
As AI agents are increasingly deployed to handle HR administrative tasks, the function’s human workforce faces significant downsizing pressure over the coming decade — but will not be eliminated, HR Dive reported Friday. Industry analyst Josh Bersin projects AI agents could reduce HR headcount industry-wide by 30 to 50 percent by 2030. Experts told HR Dive that human professionals remain essential for training AI systems, handling edge cases and exceptions that agents cannot resolve, preserving institutional knowledge, and providing the strategic oversight that automated systems at their current stage cannot fully replicate.
Paylocity Survey: 91% of HR Leaders Use AI in Recruiting, But 80% Are Actively Managing Issues
Ninety-one percent of HR leaders now use artificial intelligence in their recruiting processes, according to a Paylocity survey, but adoption is bringing new management challenges alongside its benefits, HR Dive reported Thursday. The number of applications received per hire tripled between 2021 and 2024, the survey found. Despite widespread use, 80 percent of HR leaders said they are actively managing at least one AI-related issue in their recruiting workflow. On the productivity side, 43 percent of respondents said AI tools save their recruiting teams the equivalent of a full workday each week, the survey found.
Biotech and Energy Companies Name New CHROs as August HR Executive Hiring Wave Continues
Several biotech and energy companies announced new HR executive appointments in August, according to an HR Dive roundup published Friday. Avenzo Therapeutics named Connie Wedel CHRO, with Wedel most recently serving as chief people officer at Cytek Biosciences, where she focused on global HR strategy and organizational design. Nurix Therapeutics named Wes Burwell CHRO, with CEO Arthur Sands citing Burwell’s record of scaling organizations through rapid growth. Macmillan Learning promoted Kristin Peikert to chief people officer after 11 years at the company. Deep Fission, a nuclear energy startup, named ShawnTrell Scales its first-ever chief people officer.
BambooHR Expands Into Strategic HR Consulting and Managed Payroll With New Expert Services
HR software provider BambooHR announced Thursday the expansion of its Expert Services offering, bringing strategic HR guidance and consulting capabilities alongside its existing platform, according to a GlobeNewswire release. The expansion moves BambooHR beyond software into managed services territory, with Expert Services covering HR consulting, managed payroll, and technical support. The company said the new offering is designed to give customers access to human HR expertise alongside the technology tools BambooHR already provides, deepening its relationship with employers who rely on the platform for their core HR and people management functions.
Sources: GlobeNewswire
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Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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