Spirits in the empirical world: The plight of human job seekers in the age of AI

"As a journalist, I've seen the many facets of AI in hiring – it's not just about the technology, but about the people it affects." - Hilke Schellman

In this revealing episode of Science 4-Hire, Dr. Charles Handler welcomes Hilke Schulman for a captivating conversation on AI in hiring processes and its toll on the rights and psyche of job seekers.

As an investigative journalist, Hilke has been on a six year long quest to understand how AI hiring tools are being used, their credibility and their impact on job seekers. This episode delves into her experiences and insights that culminated in her recent book (The Algorithm), an excellent expose that sheds light on the complexities and ethical challenges of AI in hiring.

One of the great things about this episode is that Hilke brings a fresh, inquisitive outsider's perspective to the table. In the process of writing her book, Hilke has interviewed hundreds of people on all sides of the AI hiring game and has taken a great many AI based assessments herself. On the show we discuss the ethical dimensions of technology, and delve into the nuanced challenges and ethical dilemmas presented by AI in hiring practices and a range of related topics such as the pitfalls of AI tools, the industry behind the creation of these tools, the impact of these technologies on protected classes, especially those with disabilities, and the need for greater transparency and ethical consideration in the industry of AI hiring tools.

Highlights:

Ethical Challenges of AI in Hiring: Schulman highlights the ethical challenges and potential biases in AI tools used for hiring, emphasizing the need for critical scrutiny of these technologies.

Impact on Diverse Groups: The conversation explores the disproportionate impact of AI hiring tools on different groups, particularly those with disabilities, showcasing the need for inclusive and fair hiring practices.

Advocacy for Transparency and Ethics: Schulman advocates for greater transparency in AI technologies and ethical considerations in their deployment, urging companies to be more accountable.

Future Prospects and Concerns: The episode discusses the future of AI in hiring, considering both its potential benefits and the risks it poses, especially regarding privacy and discrimination.Do not miss Hilke’s book: "The Algorithm: How AI Decides Who Gets Hired, Monitored, Promoted, and Fired and Why We Need to Fight Back Now” which is now available everywhere you can get a book! Hilke can be reached at: [email protected] and via Linkedin.