This AI founder is hiring Gen Z with zero experience because they’re not stuck in ‘old ways of working’—even as other CEOs slash entry‑level roles

In a world where 38% of bosses plan to hire fewer graduates this year, one AI founder is taking a bold step in the opposite direction. Alon Chen, the founder and CEO of Tastewise, a generative AI platform that works with major food and beverage companies like PepsiCo, Nestlé, and Mars, is actively hiring Gen Zers with zero experience and no degree required. This decision comes as many companies are cutting entry-level roles, opting instead to keep only seasoned staffers on board due to the rise of AI that can perform the same tasks cheaper.

Chen's rationale for prioritizing Gen Z talent is rooted in the belief that younger workers are not burdened by the "old ways of working" that have been disrupted by recent advancements in AI and technology. "There are some positions where you actually want people that do not have the prejudice or the old way of working," Chen told Fortune. "Because it's just not relevant anymore."

The explosion of new tools, job functions, and ways of working in recent years has created a landscape where traditional experience may no longer be the key currency. Chen sees Gen Z as the ideal candidates to thrive in this new realm of opportunities. "I'm hiring entry-level because they have no boundaries or limitations in how they think about the world," he explained. "They're almost like AI natives themselves, having been born and raised in this new realm of opportunities. And I see some of the best ideas coming from the younger generation that have not yet been in the job market."

Chen's approach to hiring unconventional talent is not without precedent. At the age of 15, he had already started his own business, selling computers to thousands of small and medium-sized businesses in Israel. By 28, he became the CMO at Google with no marketing degree, and later built the $2 billion product line, Google Partners. His journey has taught him that experience, while valuable, is not always the most critical factor in today's fast-paced AI-driven world.

Tastewise, which has raised $71.6 million and now works with more than half of the Fortune 100 food and beverage companies, is a testament to Chen's belief in the potential of Gen Z. As AI continues to evolve at a rapid pace, the company is poised to leverage the fresh perspectives and innovative thinking of younger workers to drive innovation and success.

In an era where traditional notions of what makes a good employee are being challenged by the rise of AI, Chen's decision to prioritize Gen Z talent highlights a shift in the value placed on experience. For Tastewise and potentially other forward-thinking companies, the future may lie in embracing the unconventional and harnessing the untapped potential of those not yet constrained by outdated work paradigms.