People and Leadership
A project to build and scale up a talent function in the UK government’s AI Security Institute that would be capable of attracting world-leading AI talent and operating with a pace and agility that could continue to meet the needs of this rapidly evolving field.
The AI Security Institute (AISI) is a directorate of the UK government’s Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). Founded in 2023, AISI is the world’s first state-backed AI security institute. It aspires to lead scrutiny of the impact and implications of AI technologies.
The foundation and rapid expansion of AISI has provided a unique talent acquisition challenge, as the long-standing and often cumbersome structures and processes of government talent evaluation and hiring meet the fast-moving and competitive world of artificial intelligence head on.
In March 2024, Capgemini Invent was tasked with supporting AISI to set up and develop a recruitment and onboarding approach capable of attracting and acquiring world-leading AI talent in an exceptionally competitive skills market.
This engagement began with a limited, month-long strategic sprint – a race to break down a problem into component parts and define priorities. But it quickly expanded to include numerous targets that embraced a talent acquisition strategy, processes and targets for headcount. Above all, it was imperative to turn a reactive, immature function into one that could meet AISI’s substantial organisational growth ambitions while adhering to the standards of DSIT processes.
Fostering high-performing teams. Capgemini integrated and mentored full-time talent recruitment staff. It conducted an in-depth skills and capability assessment to identify skills gaps, which were then tackled through training and upskilling sessions.
Creating a target operating model (TOM). To underpin newly designed processes and HR roles, Capgemini designed a TOM that would set out how to deliver services and streamline operations to process over 2,000 outstanding applications.
Implementing an effective applicant tracking system (ATS). In close collaboration with the client, Capgemini drew up a proposal for an ATS to smooth the hiring of AI researchers. Once approved, Capgemini procured, implemented and launched the ATS to streamline the hiring process and enable hiring managers to undertake more of the process themselves.
Creating data-driven approaches. Capgemini embedded strategic, data-driven approaches across all levels of AISI Talent, improving the validity and reliability of data management and streamlining governance of data collection.
Turning vision into strategy. Capgemini worked with the client to develop a detailed Transformation Map that has helped them visualise and contextualise their objectives and how to achieve them.
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