AI Screens of Pandemic Job Seekers Could Lead to Bias Claims

Companies are making more use of algorithmic hiring tools to screen a flood of job applicants during the coronavirus pandemic. This is raising questions about whether they are introducing new forms of bias into the early vetting process. The tools are designed to more efficiently filter out candidates that don’t meet certain job-related criteria, like prior work experience, and to recruit potential hires via their online profiles. However, the efficiency can come with a price. For example, AI-powered facial scanning tools that claim to evaluate who could be a good fit for a role based on speech patterns, expressions, or eye movements could discriminate against applicants with disabilities. Resume scanning tools that look for immediate past experience could discriminate against women returning to the workforce from raising children.

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