How do we measure AI fluency at Zapier? That’s the top question we heard last week when we shared that we now require AI fluency for 100% of new hires. Below are a few examples of how we assess AI fluency by role. These are not requirements or ‘boxes to be checked’. They're quick examples of the skill types we’re assessing to see where an applicant is on their AI journey. We map AI fluency across 4 levels: Unacceptable, Capable, Adoptive, and Transformative. 1️⃣ Unacceptable: Resistant to AI tools and skeptical of their value. 2️⃣ Capable: Using the most popular tools. Likely under 3 months of hands-on experience 3️⃣ Adoptive: Embedding AI in personal workflows. Tuning prompts, chaining models, and automating tasks to boost efficiency. 4️⃣ Transformative: Uses AI not just as a tool, but to rethink strategy and deliver user-facing value that wasn’t possible two years ago These are evaluated through screenings, async exercises, and live interviews. Signal compounds across stages. If you’re curious, here are some real questions we’ve asked in interviews: MARKETING - How is AI changing how you plan or execute campaigns? - How do you use AI to personalize messaging, generate content, or analyze performance? PEOPLE - Can you share an example of how you use AI in your daily work? - Can you share an example of a process or program you’ve built using AI? (Why AI, how does it work, tooling, outcomes, how you think about ROI?) PRODUCT - How is AI impacting SaaS? - Give an example of a time you used AI in a product feature. Did it improve with a better/faster/cheaper model? A few more things to note: 👉None of this is gospel. The best way to improve is to try things, collect data, then improve. The bar will keep rising. 👉AI skills vary and are heavily role-specific. These are not the only acceptable answers, just the ones we could fit in the table. 👉Engineering ≠ Marketing ≠ Support. Context matters. Requirements vary. We'll continue sharing what we’re learning as we refine what AI fluency means at Zapier. Onward!
I love this Brandon and think there's so many great insights scattered throughout. I'm super curious how you all are thinking about supporting this transition mentally. The resistance to AI is natural, we've all spent our careers... building our careers. This is a sea change moment and how do we also use AI to return time for community, reflection, and a chance to breath throughout the day.
THE definitive AI fluency role-by-role example chart 😎
Brandon Sammut —would love to feature this alongside our interview rubrics download—and maybe do a podcast your and/or Tracy St.Dic What do you think?
Bullish on HR leading the charge in AI adoption. The most explosive companies over the past year are running fast and lean, and have high AI literacy across all BUs. Glad you are vetting this skill from the beginning! Maybe bake AI adoption into comp plans? 🤔
I am AI Fluency Lead at the Financial Times and would love to connect with others in a similar role. I too share our approach, thanks for sharing yours, Brandon
This is a great example and really timely - thanks for sharing Brandon Sammut
Unacceptable is clever
Great framework!
Chief People Officer at Zapier
3moCredit to our AI Fluency in Hiring working group (Tracy St.Dic Casey Firey, SHRM-CP Bonnie Dilber Jaime Onofre Colin Monaghan Rita Bueno Dowling Dara Hashemi Tiffany Daley Kim Wilkes Marta Mierzejewska Jess McAnaney in partnership with other Zapiens.