Show Notes:

In this episode of Business Growth Spotlight, host Heidi Schalk sits down with Adam Hocek, founder of Aecho AI, to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the future of recruitment. Adam dives into the growing importance of soft skills assessment, the role of emotional intelligence in hiring, and how Aecho AI’s voice technology brings a human touch to digital recruiting.

He shares how understanding tone, emotion, and personality through voice data helps companies make better hiring decisions and how this innovation gives Echo AI a competitive edge in the HR tech space. The conversation also covers marketing strategies for early-stage AI startups, building visibility in a crowded market, and navigating the challenges of scaling voice-based AI.

Bio*

CEO & Founder, Aecho.ai

Adam Hocek brings over four decades of pioneering expertise in voice artificial intelligence to his role as CEO and Founder of Aecho.ai. As a recognized leader in voice technology innovation, Adam has dedicated his career to transforming how humans interact with intelligent systems, culminating in Aecho's revolutionary approach to AI-powered recruitment.

Educational Foundation and Technical Leadership

Adam holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Essex and completed post-graduate research at the master's level in Computer Science Engineering. His academic foundation has supported a distinguished career spanning executive roles as CTO, CIO, and CEO across six startups, including one successful exit.

Voice AI Pioneer and Industry Innovator

Adam's contributions to voice technology began in the 1980s when he created the first voice recognition product for consumers, establishing him as a true pioneer in the field. His innovative spirit continued with the invention of the first portable reading system for the blind in the 1990s, demonstrating his commitment to using technology for meaningful social impact. He also designed and built Arizona's voice-accessed traffic and tourism system, showcasing his ability to deploy voice AI solutions at scale.

Thought Leadership and Industry Recognition

As a respected authority in voice technology, Adam co-authored "Definitive VoiceXML," published by Prentice-Hall in 2003, which became a foundational text in the field. His upcoming book, "AI for Purpose," will explore how artificial intelligence can drive transformative change across industries. Through decades of hands-on experience and theoretical contributions, Adam has established himself as both a practitioner and thought leader in voice AI applications.

Vision for Aecho.ai

At Aecho.ai, Adam applies his extensive voice AI expertise to address the $750 billion global recruitment market's fundamental challenges. Under his leadership, the company has developed what he describes as "Autopilot for Recruitment" - an autonomous hiring platform that leverages advanced voice analysis to assess candidates comprehensively, reducing time-to-hire from weeks to hours while achieving unprecedented accuracy in evaluating technical skills, soft skills, and cultural fit.

Adam's unique combination of technical innovation, entrepreneurial success, and deep understanding of voice AI positions him to lead Aecho.ai's mission of transforming recruitment through intelligent voice analysis technology.

To connect with our guest, click on the links below:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamhocek/

Website: https://aecho.ai

Connect with me:

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/