Roundup: ServiceNow Boosts AI Tools; Women Felt Most Impact from Covid

News Roundup

Our weekly roundup of deals, product announcements and other HR technology news.

ServiceNow launched Azimuth, an open-source software application that helps AI practitioners better understand their dataset and model predictions by performing thorough dataset and error analyses. The application leverages different tools, including robustness tests, semantic similarity analysis and saliency maps, unified by concepts such as smart tags and proposed actions. Azimuth’s most relevant application will be a significant upgrade to ServiceNow’s Now Platform.

The Covid-19 pandemic impacted working women disproportionately, according to data from the ADP Research Institute, and as a result many have been slow to return to the workforce. In 2019 women made up 46% of the employee base but took 53% of the job losses. Other reasons about why their recovery and/or return to work is being drawn out include women had to become the social institutions that were compromised by the pandemic. They had to be the provider of healthcare, and step in as educators when school-aged children went fully remote.

In this week's #HRTech Roundup: @ServiceNow Boosts AI Tools; Women Felt Most Impact from #Covid #HR Click To Tweet

Research looking into the effects of working in VR has concluded that it leads to more frustration and anxiety, and less productivity. The Cornell University sponsored thesis, titled “Quantifying the Effects of Working in VR for One Week,” compared 16 participants working in a virtual reality setup for five days (eight hours a day) to a physical work environment. The main findings: self-rated task load was significantly higher in VR (approximately 35%), as was frustration (42%), negative affect (11%), anxiety (19%) and eye strain (48%).  

Eighty-seven percent of the people who identify as LGBTQ+ said that they conducted research on their company before applying to ensure the organizations were LGBTQ+ friendly, according to a survey by Indeed. The result suggests that perceived inclusivity is a major factor in the application process for members of the LGBTQ+ community. In addition, the survey suggests that progress is being made toward increased inclusivity, making employees feel safer bringing their “true selves” to work.

Alight Solutions launched Alight Digital. This app-based solution will enable organizations to help employees meet their financial needs and improve financial wellbeing with a flexible approach to pay. The app includes two flexible payment options: The pay card, which offers an alternative to physical checks or direct deposit, and earned wage access that allows employees instant access to a part of their wages or salary ahead of payday.  

Transfr VR announced $35 million in Series B funding as it expands into regions and industries most heavily impacted by skills gaps and unemployment. The round was led by Lumos Capital Group. Nearly 300 organizations are now using Transfr’s simulations as a platform for skills training and career exploration.

HiBob launched a redesigned Help Center, which provides users with the resources they need according to their role in the organization. Resources have been revamped to simplify navigation, and users can jump directly to resources that are relevant to them.

Lever launched two new Dynamic Approval features as part of its spring release. The platform’s new offer-approval functionality for requisitions and job postings can be configured to match customers’ recruiting and hiring processes. In addition, multiple offers can now be created.

Last Week’s Top Stories

Velocity Global Raises $400 Million in Series B Funding

Velocity Global raised $400 million in a Series B  round, increasing the company’s valuation by an order of seven from this time a year ago. Read more.

ServiceNow Adding Hitch to Provide More Skills Data

ServiceNow is acquiring Hitch Works in a deal is expected to close in Q2 2022. Terms of the deal weren’t disclosed. Hitch uses AI tools to map peoples’ skills to projects. With the acquisition, Hitch’s features will be made available across the ServiceNow platform. Read more.

SmartRecruiters Aims to Redefine Onboarding With New Solution

SmartRecruiters, a provider of enterprise recruitment software, launched the SmartOnboard, a native solution it says will deliver “a seamless onboarding experience” for newly hired employees. The new product allows HR teams to cut the time necessary to provide new workers with a “simple, tailored” onboarding experience. Read more.

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