Most employers are not using, have no plans to use AI in recruitment: survey
The majority of HR professionals in Australia are not using, and have no plans to use artificial intelligence in their recruitment and selection process amid concerns that it could be discriminatory.
The State of AI in Australian Human Resources report found the majority of HR professionals said they have no plans to use AI on:
"Caution is being exercised when using AI in recruitment," the report read. "This caution is warranted, given that future regulatory changes may limit the use of AI in recruitment."
The findings reflect similar wary sentiments across the world over AI bias in recruitment, such as the case in Malaysia.
The European Union also recently classified in its EU AI Act that AI systems used in employment "should also be classified as high-risk" given its impact on career prospects, livelihoods, and workers' rights.
"Throughout the recruitment process and in the evaluation, promotion, or retention of persons in work-related contractual relationships, such systems may perpetuate historical patterns of discrimination, for example against women, certain age groups, persons with disabilities, or persons of certain racial or ethnic origins or sexual orientation," the act read.
The EU's concern over AI discrimination is also similar to worries across the world, such as in Singapore, where its government urged employees to report to them if they were discriminated against by AI.
In Australia, the State of AI in Australian Human Resources report found that 39.4% of those using AI in recruitment believe that it discriminated against under-represented groups.
They believe AI discrimination occurred against the following groups:
However, the report found that only 23.4% of responding organisations had actually reviewed or examined their AI if it really disadvantaged specific groups.
Among them, 48.1% said discrimination took place, while 22% said they didn't know.
"These findings suggest firstly, that despite concerns about discrimination and biases, few organisations have closely examined whether those concerns are founded in the context of the AI tools they use in their organisation or the purposes for which they use them," the report read.
Amid discrimination concerns, the report underscored the importance of reviews and human oversight to ensure the ethical and responsible integration of AI.
"Undertaking a review of any AI-enabled or automated HR technology both prior to its use and following a period of implementation is critical to supporting equity and diversity, and mitigating risks of bias and discrimination," the report read.
