Britain: toolkit published on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the recruitment process

Called Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the job interview process: Toolkit for employers, careers advisers and hiring platforms, this information document distributed in November was produced by the Institute for Employment Studies (IES, UK based centre of research and consultancy in employment policy and human resource issues) in partnership with the University of Sussex Business School. The guide aims to demystify relevant new technologies and inform employers about the processes involved with these new practices. The toolkit particularly focuses on Asynchronous Video Interviews (AVIs): where job applicants film themselves online answering questions presented on a computer screen. The interview is said to be asynchronous because the recruiter is not simultaneously connected with the applicant and an algorithm subsequently selects the candidates. According to the IES, the limits of this practice are the difficulties young people encounter when facing this type of interview (lack of human warmth, stress, difficulty in communicating their personality, etc.). In the document the IES also encourages employers to be aware of the criteria being applied in selecting candidates, especially when using a recruitment platform, to ensure that the algorithm’s selection cursor fits the employer’s purpose. Finally, the IES believes that transparency and explanations for both candidates and employers are key to the successful use of AI in recruitment.