“AI is going to take our jobs.”
“It will replace humans and leave everyone unemployed.”
These were the headlines on every news channel, trending hashtags on social media, and tech conferences as the aftermath of OpenAI launch in 2022. Ironically, the same AI has now made employees more efficient, resulting in more productivity and less stress. Small and medium organizations with less manpower are growing rapidly, as GenAI has provided an affordable option to get the work done.
Forget about hijacking jobs, AI can now help you find one. Even for organizations, hiring the right talent has become one of the most critical challenges. The demands of modern recruitment—from eliminating biases to aligning stakeholders and streamlining processes—have called for innovative solutions that transcend traditional approaches.
This is where Zeko AI steps in. It is a trailblazing company Co-founded by Samyak Jain (IIT Delhi Alumnus and founder of MyWays.ai), whose vision is revolutionizing the hiring decision making process using artificial intelligence. In this cover story, we explore Zeko AI’s journey, delve into its innovative offerings, and understand how it is shaping the future of HR tech.
The Genesis of Zeko AI
When asked about the inception of Zeko AI, Samyak shared the journey that led to its founding.
“My co-founder, Tanvi, and I have been deeply engaged in the recruitment and talent evaluation space for over five years,” he explains. The duo’s initial venture, MyWays.ai, focused on hiring and assessing fresh talent from India’s top colleges, including IITs, NITs, and other engineering institutions.
Through their work, they uncovered systemic inefficiencies in recruitment processes, especially in large organizations. Misalignment between hiring managers and recruiters, biases in hiring practices, and operational delays hindered effective talent acquisition. These challenges inspired Samyak and Tanvi to create a solution that would address these issues head-on.
The turning point came in 2022 when an internal incident further solidified the need for innovation. They had already built a very strong engine for Evaluation of skills, and with the launch of LLMs, they were able to increase the scope very fast from fresher and tech focused to beyond. Building on this insight, Zeko AI was born. “We developed a proprietary layer to function along with LLMs, creating a product that conducts end-to-end interviews and builds talent pipelines,” says Samyak. “This innovation has become the cornerstone of our mission to transform recruitment with AI technology. We can now achieve things that were not possible before.”
Revolutionizing Recruitment with Innovation
In the traditional processes of hiring, communication gaps between hiring managers and recruiters often lead to misdirected efforts, delays, and unsatisfactory outcomes. For instance, while a hiring manager might see Candidate A as an ideal fit, the recruiter might prioritize Candidate B due to a cultural aspect. These disconnects, compounded by operational bottlenecks, can extend hiring timelines by months and inflate costs.
Recognizing the need for a transformative approach, Zeko AI crafted a suite of AI-powered tools designed to:
| Eliminate information dilution: | By enabling seamless communication between stakeholders. |
| Reduce hiring cycle times: | From several weeks to just a few days. |
| Optimize candidate selection: | Ensuring alignment with organizational values and long-term goals. |
Zeko AI’s journey began by reimagining how technology could integrate into recruitment processes. The company’s offerings have evolved into a comprehensive solution that addresses hiring challenges at every stage:
Understanding Needs at the Outset: Zeko AI’s platform engages hiring managers to gain a clear understanding of their requirements, company culture, and strategic objectives. This ensures that recruiters are armed with precise insights, avoiding misalignment from the start.
Building and Refining Talent Pools: Leveraging advanced AI algorithms, the platform identifies top candidates from a variety of open sources. It efficiently filters applications, creating a curated talent pool that aligns with the organization’s criteria.
Zeko Hire: Enhancing Candidate Focus: The Zeko Hire platform empowers recruiters by prioritizing high-quality applications. This feature ensures that recruiters concentrate their efforts on the most promising candidates, enhancing engagement and overall hiring outcomes.
AI-Driven Interviews: Zeko AI’s technology takes recruitment a step further by conducting virtual, human-like interviews. These interviews not only save time but also generate detailed candidate assessments, offering decision-makers a nuanced understanding of each applicant.
Simplifying Final Decisions: By presenting hiring panels with a shortlist of the top three or four candidates—rather than an overwhelming list of 15-20—the platform streamlines decision-making.
One of the most notable achievements of Zeko AI is its ability to dramatically reduce hiring cycles. Tasks that once took weeks or months are now completed in a matter of days. This acceleration not only saves time and resources but also ensures organizations can quickly adapt to their evolving talent needs.
Overcoming Challenges in the Early Stages
The journey of building Zeko AI was not without hurdles.
“One of our biggest challenges was identifying our focus,” Samyak recalls. Initially attempting to cater to a broad audience diluted their efforts. The team learned to identify their ideal customer profile as an enterprise hiring 10+ people every month, allowing them to allocate resources effectively and refine their offerings.
Another challenge was enabling change management within organizations. Even in cases where the leadership is aligned and mandates implementation of AI, the actual executors are often not able to adopt due to limited bandwidth and lack of prioritization. By analyzing user behavior and understanding market demands, Zeko AI tailored its services to resonate with the needs of committed customers, driving growth and market impact.
Solutions for Scalable Hiring
Zeko AI has positioned itself as a leader in being an AI- partner for fast-scaling enterprises, addressing critical pain points faced by modern enterprises.
| Eliminating Bias: | By using data-driven evaluation methods, Zeko AI reduces human biases, promoting diversity within teams. |
| Aligning Stakeholders: | The platform bridges communication gaps between hiring managers and recruiters, ensuring alignment on candidate profiles. |
| Automation and Speed: | Automating interview scheduling, candidate evaluation, and pipeline creation reduces the time-to-hire significantly. |
| Scalability: | For large organizations, Zeko AI’s solutions scale seamlessly, maintaining quality and efficiency. |
One standout feature is the platform’s ability to conduct high-quality, human-like interviews saves time and resources while enhancing the candidate experience.
Leadership Philosophy: People-First and Innovation-Driven
Samyak’s leadership philosophy is built on core principles like prioritizing people and nurturing innovation.
“We believe the company grows only if individuals within it grow,” he says. Zeko AI’s people-first approach ensures team members are passionate, take ownership, and feel empowered. This culture of personal and professional growth has been instrumental in Zeko AI’s success.
Innovation is equally integral to the company’s ethos. “Regardless of their domain, we encourage our team to think creatively and redefine processes,” Samyak shares. By putting technology at the core of their operations, Zeko AI has consistently developed groundbreaking solutions.
During challenging times, this leadership philosophy has proven invaluable. “Good salaries and a strong brand are important, but trust and investment in people sustain an organization during crises,” he asserts. This commitment has fostered a deep sense of loyalty and alignment within the team.
Success Stories: Real-World Impact
Zeko AI’s impact can be seen in the success stories of its clients.
For instance, a large organization focused on diversity hiring struggled with a limited talent pool. Using Zeko AI, they efficiently identified suitable candidates and provided upskilling recommendations, enabling the company to achieve its diversity goals.
In another case, a rapidly growing organization faced challenges processing a high volume of applications. Zeko AI’s integration with job boards and applicant tracking systems allowed them to scan thousands of resumes, conduct initial interviews, and shortlist candidates in just a few days. This streamlined process unlocked new opportunities for talent acquisition, significantly reducing the hiring cycle.
Shaping the Future of HR Tech
Samyak envisions a future where AI plays an even greater role in HR and talent acquisition.
“AI is reshaping recruitment and engagement by taking over repetitive, time-consuming tasks, enabling HR professionals to focus on employee growth and organizational culture,” he notes.
Key trends he foresees include:
| Personalization: | Tailored recruitment experiences that align candidates with organizational values. |
| Data-Driven Decision-Making: | Leveraging predictive analytics to optimize sourcing strategies and improve retention. |
| Integration Across Workflows: | Seamless integration of AI tools into HR workflows for greater efficiency. |
These advancements will continue to drive innovation and efficiency in talent acquisition, solidifying AI’s role as a cornerstone of modern HR strategies.
A Legacy of Transformation
As Zeko AI continues to grow, Samyak’s vision for the company extends beyond technology.
“We want to redefine HR by empowering professionals to focus on people rather than processes,” he says. By automating repetitive tasks, Zeko AI enables HR teams to prioritize meaningful initiatives, fostering a culture of growth and alignment.
Samyak hopes to leave a lasting legacy in the HR tech industry, one that emphasizes the importance of aligning recruitment with organizational values and unlocking the full potential of employees. “Our goal is to create a platform where recruiters can onboard individuals who not only excel in their roles but also contribute to a thriving workplace culture,” he concludes.
Concluding the Journey
In a period where recruitment challenges continue to evolve, Zeko AI stands out as a beacon of innovation and efficiency. Under the visionary leadership of Samyak Jain, the company is transforming how enterprises approach hiring, from eliminating biases to automating processes and promoting diversity.
With its cutting-edge solutions and a commitment to empowering HR professionals, Zeko AI is not just an admired HR solution provider—it is a catalyst for change in the recruitment landscape. As we look to the future, Zeko AI’s impact promises to shape the industry for years to come.
Key Takeaways from Zeko AI’s Cover Story
- AI-Driven Recruitment Solutions : Zeko AI streamlines hiring with AI tools that reduce biases, accelerate processes, and enhance candidate alignment.
- Innovative Features: Tools like Zeko Hunt and AI-driven interviews prioritize quality candidates, automate evaluations, and optimize talent pools.
- People-First Leadership: Founder Samyak Jain emphasizes growth, trust, and innovation, fostering a culture that drives impactful HR solutions.
- Proven Impact: Zeko AI has enabled organizations to achieve diversity goals and handle high application volumes, cutting hiring timelines significantly.
- Future of HR Tech: Zeko AI is pioneering personalized recruitment, predictive analytics, and seamless AI-HR integration, reshaping the industry.
