Shaker x “Don’t Tell Me About Yourself” featuring Zachary Parris

AI is changing HR so fast, the real advantage is learning how to build with it.

In this Shaker x Don’t Tell Me About Yourself collaboration, hosts Victoria Gates and Lorna Erickson sit down with Zachary Parris, Talent Strategy, Career Studio, People Products at Google, to explore how HR leaders can shift from program-driven work to product-driven thinking in the age of AI.

In this conversation, Zachary shares why usage is one of the strongest signals of product value, how non-technical HR professionals can now create and iterate with AI in ways that were previously out of reach, and why the future of talent leadership requires both individual experimentation and organizational enablement. He also discusses the importance of first principles of thinking, empowering teams to create, and getting more hands-on with the technology that is reshaping work.

You’ll hear a real-world perspective on how AI is transforming onboarding, product thinking, and HR operating models, as well as why leaders need to understand what the technology can do before they can guide their teams through the change. For talent leaders thinking about what comes next, this conversation is a compelling reminder that the future belongs to those who are willing to learn by doing.