Adobe Bets on AI-Fluent Hires as Tech Giants Diverge on Workforce Future

Adobe Embraces AI in Hiring as Tech Giants Navigate AI's Role in Workforce Evolution

Adobe, the $141 billion software giant, is actively seeking job candidates who demonstrate fluency in artificial intelligence, positioning AI proficiency as a competitive edge in its hiring process. Stacy Martinet, Adobe's chief communications officer, emphasized that candidates leveraging AI tools during interviews-such as refining cover letters or enhancing project submissions-stand out to the company. "Those who pair creative skills with AI fluency will have a competitive edge," Martinet told Fortune, noting that applicants showcasing AI integration in their work are "creating the future" of the company.

This stance contrasts with some peers. In May, AI leader Anthropic initially barred candidates from using AI in hiring but reversed its policy by July, allowing applicants to use its Claude model to refine resumes and cover letters. Anthropic's head of talent, Jimmy Gould, called the shift "intentional," aiming to align hiring with the company's daily reliance on AI tools. Meanwhile, Goldman Sachs maintains a strict prohibition, warning applicants that using AI during interviews-such as ChatGPT or Google search-will result in disqualification. The bank's campus recruitment team emphasized the need to hear candidates' "own voice," despite its internal investments in AI-driven productivity tools.

Adobe's approach reflects a broader debate about AI's role in the workforce. The company also announced in 2025 that it would discontinue diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) hiring targets, a move aligning with a national trend of firms scaling back such initiatives amid political and legal pressures. Gloria Chen, Adobe's chief people officer, clarified that while aspirational goals like increasing female leadership representation or Black employee representation had been set in 2020, the company had never hired based on quotas. This shift comes as Adobe's latest proxy statement omitted any mention of diversity, a change noted by analysts.

Scott Belsky, Adobe's chief strategy officer, argues that AI will ultimately create more jobs rather than displace them. He highlighted how AI tools like Photoshop's generative expand feature have increased productivity for designers, freeing up time for creative experimentation and A/B testing. Belsky echoed Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's view that companies typically hire more people as AI boosts efficiency, enabling expansion into new markets and projects.

Goldman Sachs Research, however, cautions that AI's impact on employment will be "modest and temporary." While the firm estimates that 6-7% of U.S. jobs could be at risk from AI adoption, it predicts new roles will emerge to offset displacement. Occupations like computer programming and customer service face higher risks, but the bank notes that historical patterns show technological disruptions typically resolve within two years.

The tension between embracing AI and preserving human-centric hiring underscores a fractured corporate landscape. Anthropic's evolving policy and Adobe's DEI overhaul highlight the challenges of balancing innovation with ethical and regulatory concerns. As companies like Goldman Sachs enforce strict AI bans in hiring, others like Adobe and Anthropic prioritize candidates who can collaborate with AI tools.

Source: [1] Adobe exec says the $141 billion software giant embraces candidates who use AI to apply for jobs-because they're the people 'creating the future' (https://fortune.com/2025/10/12/adobe-executive-cco-stacy-martinet-hiring-talent-ai-skills-in-interviews-creating-the-future/)

[2] CPO at Adobe says company will 'discontinue' DEI targets (https://www.hcamag.com/au/specialisation/diversity-inclusion/cpo-at-adobe-says-company-will-discontinue-dei-targets/530675)

[4] AI will spur more hiring, not less: Adobe's Scott Belsky | Fortune (https://fortune.com/2023/12/21/ai-will-spur-more-hiring-and-ingenuity-per-person-adobe-scott-belsky/?n=%40)

[5] $61.5 billion AI giant Anthropic has made a major ... (https://fortune.com/2025/07/21/billion-dollar-giant-anthropic-ai-ban-hiring-policy-change-job-seekers-interview-process/)

[9] Companies Bragging About Their AI Furious as Job ... (https://futurism.com/companies-bragging-ai-job-applicants)

[10] AI for Me but Not for Thee: Companies Ban Job Applicants from ... (https://completeaitraining.com/news/ai-for-me-but-not-for-thee-companies-ban-job-applicants/)

[11] How Will AI Affect the Global Workforce? - Goldman Sachs (https://www.goldmansachs.com/insights/articles/how-will-ai-affect-the-global-workforce)