Epicenter’s Talent Smash

On September 2, Epicenter hosted Talent Smash – a full-day event exploring the future of work. The program covered everything from skill-based hiring and inclusive leadership to the rise of the so-called “superworker”: versatile, high-impact talent changing how we define performance in 2025 and beyond.

Published:

Sep 5, 2025

2 min read

One of the highlights of the day was a conversation between Adrian McDonald, CEO at Epicenter, and Henrik Jarleskog, European CEO at Sodexo, who discussed how AI is reshaping roles and workflows.

As they put it: “Once you learn more about AI tools, you start thinking less about the productivity and more about the possibilities.”

Women in Tech Sweden’s Director Åsa Johansen joined the panel “Is Skill-Based Hiring the New Black? – If so, what does that mean for diversity and inclusion?”

With job skills shifting at unprecedented speed — some reports show that a third of skills have already changed in just three years, and in the most disrupted jobs it’s closer to 75% — more companies and governments are rethinking traditional degree requirements. Instead, they are moving towards skills-first approaches that focus on what people can actually do.But does this shift make hiring fairer and more inclusive — or is it simply a new kind of filter?
Åsa shared her perspective:

“I absolutely see skills-first hiring as a potential unlock for representation in tech – but only if it’s paired with real cultural change. Right now, three out of ten in tech are women, and many of them don’t lack skills – they lack access, fair evaluation, and inclusive environments. If we only swap degree requirements for skills assessments, we risk building a new filter that still favors those who already ‘fit the mold.’

The real opportunity lies in combining skills-first approaches with inclusion practices. That means making sure we value different types of experience, that we test for potential, and that we create workplaces where those skills are actually seen and appreciated.
So for me, skills-first is not the silver bullet. It’s the door opener – but inclusion is what keeps people inside.”

Talent Smash gathered leaders, innovators, and change-makers to reimagine what talent looks like in the age of AI and rapid transformation. Women in Tech Sweden was proud to be part of the dialogue — highlighting that the future workforce isn’t just about skills, but also about building cultures where those skills can truly thrive.