Bloomberg Businessweek ICYMI: Recruiting for AI Powered Solutions
Aug 11, 2025
Erica Gessert, CFO at Upwork, shares insights on the platform’s recent success, highlighting a stellar second-quarter performance and a positive forecast. She discusses the acquisitions of Bubty and Ascen, emphasizing how these moves enhance Upwork’s AI-driven services for enterprises. The conversation explores the transformative impact of AI on hiring practices and the labor market, as well as how AI enables better connections between clients and freelancers, streamlining recruitment and improving efficiency.
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AI Category Drives Rapid Platform Growth
- Upwork's AI category grew rapidly and materially boosted platform volume.
- Erica Gessert says AI-driven improvements accounted for about $80 million of platform volume.
Cut The Hiring Time From Hours To Minutes
- Use AI to automate job posts, proposals and initial screening to cut time dramatically.
- Erica Gessert notes the platform reduced processes that used to take hours down to minutes.
Digital Platforms Can Buck Labor Weakness
- Upwork grew in Q2 while many public staffing firms saw declines.
- Erica Gessert credits the strength and attractiveness of Upwork's digital platform for that resilience.