AI Ethics in Hiring: 5 Things You Can Do In This Crazy New Age of Employment

A look at AI ethics in hiring. As a job seeker, you need to be more aware of how AI can affect your chances of employment.

The topic of ethics has always been one that sparks controversy and debate. With the new and improved ways of living, the world around us is continuously altering, and the developments of AI and ML create room for more ethical debates.

Like all forms of ethics, AI ethics have no direct answers or parameters, but having a good understanding of how workplace hiring has been affected by this new technology can allow you to have a strategic approach when it comes to finding your next position.

What Is AI’s Role in Hiring?

Depending on the company, AI can be incorporated in different ways when it comes to the hiring process, but having a general understanding of how it can be used is important when applying for a job.

1. Online Posting: After the initial posting of the job, candidates can share their CVs and resumes, which are screened by AI software such as CVViZ. These software programs can focus on certain keywords and qualifications that match the job description. They also look at inconsistencies that make candidates unfavorable. For example, an AI system may flag a resume that includes an employment gap.

2. Initial Reviews: Certain AI interview and review software, including HireVue, allows employers to swiftly identify qualified candidates and save time and resources. For example, the software may send a series of questions to the candidates or even incorporate a virtual interview.

3. Human Interview: This is where human oversight is essential. Hiring managers and recruiters can ensure that the top candidates are selected for the job.

4. Reference Checks: Once a candidate is selected, AI tools can be used to make the process of finalizing their employment smoother. Once the employee is on board, other AI tools can be used to set up their accounts and the general onboarding process.

How Do AI Biases Affect Hiring and Recruitment?

AI does offer a lot of advantages in the hiring process. However, it also brings forth a number of ethical concerns and AI biases such as discrimination. So, what are the ethical implications of using AI in hiring?

AI and ML are not operational from scratch. They function based on data. And if that data is biased, this will be reflected in the hiring process as well. For example, depending on the data the AI system is operating on, the program could prefer male candidates to female candidates, or it can base its selections on ethnicity, race, religion, and other factors that create AI biases.

What Can You Do Now?

AI has created many challenges, but in order to avoid AI biases, companies need to be transparent in their approach and the presentation of their AI recruitment system. When applying to new positions, look out for these signs that will allow you to realize the presence of AI biases and the good conduct of AI ethics.

Lack of Transparency: When applying, make sure to conduct enough research on the company’s AI hiring system and the practiced AI ethics to understand how it works and how the hiring decisions are made. Steer away from companies that do not provide this kind of information.

Lack of Diversity: The diversity of a company’s staff is a direct reflection of its hiring process. If the staff is not diverse, the AI hiring system and the data it uses are probably biased and prioritize certain qualities over others. This might also mean that certain groups are being excluded. Companies need to make sure that the data these systems use are continuously updated and are a reflection of the qualities they look for in candidates.

Unusual Criteria: Depending on the criteria used to select candidates, the decisions might be based on inaccurate data that may lead to AI biases.

Questions and Information: If the AI system asks unusual questions when presenting your information or during follow-up questions, there’s a possibility that the AI system is using biased or inaccurate data that does not properly align with your ability or the requirements of the position.

Human Accountability: AI has reached an advanced level, especially in the workplace, but that doesn’t mean that the final decisions when it comes to hiring should be solely based on data. At the end of the day, human oversight should make the hiring decisions.

For example, AI systems may not notice certain qualities that make an exceptional candidate suitable for a position, such as a positive attitude or readiness to take initiative or be part of a team. When applying, make sure that the company ensures human oversight over its hiring process.

Final Thoughts

It is both the responsibility of the hiring companies as well as the applicants to ensure an unbiased hiring process. When applying, job seekers should keep an open mind and direct their efforts to companies that notice the potential AI biases in the hiring system and address them.

Candidates need to spot the bias in the system and take proactive steps so that the hiring process evaluates candidates not based on biased data or criteria, but on their qualifications.