Responsible AI in Recruitment
AI in Recruitment
AI-enabled systems are becoming increasingly embedded across the recruitment and hiring lifecycle. These systems offer a range of potential benefits for organisations, as they can:
- Improve the efficiency of applicant screening and interviews
- Improve the quality and diversity of applicants
- Improve the applicant experience by offering chatbot support
- Better job search for candidates exposed to more tailored adverts
- Streamline salary negotiations
- Produce better and more scalable recruitment insights
While these technologies create a range of benefits, they also pose novel risks, including:
- Risks bias and discrimination
- Lack of scientific validity
- Concerns about legal compliance with UK legislation
- Digital exclusion
Governance Measures and Safeguards
Governance measures and safeguards are needed to maximise the benefits of these technologies, while mitigating potential risks and harms. This can be achieved through the introduction of AI assurance.
AI Assurance for Recruitment
AI assurance involves processes to measure, evaluate and communicate whether an AI system is trustworthy, and does what it says on the tin. In 2022, HR and recruitment was identified as a key sector of interest for the RTA due to the distinct challenges it faced from increased AI adoption.
Barriers to Adoption
The RTA engaged extensively with organisations in the recruitment sector to identify familiarity and engagement with AI assurance. This research, published in our Industry temperature check: barriers and enablers to AI assurance report, identified several barriers to the adoption of AI assurance, including:
- Lack of knowledge and skills
- Lack of internal/external demand
- Lack of awareness of available assurance mechanisms
Updated Guidance
Prior to this, the RTA co-authored the Data driven tools in recruitment guidance with the Recruitment and Employment Confederation. Alongside the publication of the Industry temperature check there have been two major developments in the policy landscape since the original guidance launched: To reflect these developments in the policy landscape, we are publishing updated guidance on responsible AI in recruitment. This work aims to support organisations procuring and deploying AI systems for recruitment, by identifying how assurance mechanisms can be used across the procurement and deployment lifecycle, to ensure alignment with the UK’s proposed regulatory principles.
Key Considerations and Assurance Mechanisms
This guidance outlines key considerations that organisations should think about across each stage of the procurement and deployment lifecycle: pre-procurement, during-procurement, pre-deployment and live operation. The guidance then identifies assurance mechanisms are also identified, which can be used to address these considerations.
What’s Next?
Organisations seeking to procure and deploy AI-enabled systems for recruitment should integrate relevant considerations outlined in this guidance into existing business processes. The RTA will work with industry bodies to ensure adoption of this guidance and monitor uptake of AI assurance techniques. We’d like to hear from organisations with ideas or opportunities for future collaboration, or who have insights or resources to share.
Conclusion
The updated guidance aims to support organisations procuring and deploying AI systems for recruitment, by identifying key considerations and assurance mechanisms to ensure alignment with the UK’s proposed regulatory principles. By integrating these considerations and mechanisms into existing business processes, organisations can maximise the benefits of AI technologies while mitigating potential risks and harms.
FAQs
Q: What is AI assurance?
A: AI assurance involves processes to measure, evaluate and communicate whether an AI system is trustworthy, and does what it says on the tin.
Q: Why is AI assurance important in recruitment?
A: AI assurance is important in recruitment because it helps to identify and mitigate potential risks and harms associated with AI adoption, such as bias and discrimination.
Q: What are the key considerations outlined in the guidance?
A: The guidance outlines key considerations that organisations should think about across each stage of the procurement and deployment lifecycle, including pre-procurement, during-procurement, pre-deployment and live operation.
Q: How can organisations get involved in the development of AI assurance techniques?
A: Organisations can get involved by sharing their experiences, insights and resources, and by participating in future collaborations and initiatives.
