Early Signals on AI, Hiring, and the Workforce

How is AI changing work? In this episode, Matt Perault sat down with Nick Catino, global head of policy at Deel, to better understand what today’s data can already tell us. Through its HR and payroll platform, Deel works with 35,000 customers and 1.5 million workers across more than 150 countries, giving the company a broad view across employers, geographies, and job categories as AI begins to change hiring and work.Nick walks through what Deel is seeing firsthand. That includes a 40% increase in the share of companies opening new AI roles in 2025. Deel’s recent global hiring report also found more than 70,000 AI trainer roles across 600-plus organizations, with nearly 60% of those roles located in the U.S., and AI trainer positions emerging as the fastest-growing global role on Deel’s platform.The conversation also explores what these shifts mean for policy. If AI is going to change how people work, Nick argues smart policy should focus on helping workers build AI fluency and new skills, supporting students as they prepare to enter the workforce, and giving startups the clarity they need as they hire and scale.Nick brings a valuable Little Tech perspective, drawing on his experience building public policy functions at fast-growing startups. For founders thinking about why startups need a seat at the table, along with when and how to engage with policymakers, this conversation is especially worthwhile.Topics covered:03:14: Deel’s global hiring view04:27: Building a startup policy function09:12: Data as a policy tool12:20: Early signals on AI and the workforce14:47: Job shifts and emerging roles17:30: Policy levers to support workers24:22: Why regulatory certainty matters for Little Tech27:01: Scaling Deel’s data insights29:20: The rise of AI trainer roles31:36: Lessons from building policy functions at fast-growing startups35:05: Why policymakers want to hear from Little TechResources:Read Deel's global hiring report: https://www.deel.com/global-hiring-report-2026/Learn more about Deel's HR and payroll platform: https://www.deel.com/partners/a16z.ecosystem?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=partner-sourced&utm_content=a16z.ecosystem&utm_place=organic-communitySubscribe to the a16z AI Policy Brief: https://a16zpolicy.substack.com/Follow Matt Perault: https://x.com/MattPeraultFollow Nick Catino: https://x.com/CatinoNickPlease note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit a16zpolicy.substack.com