Ageism in recruitment: AI tools amplify the bias that humans bring, says specialist

As the technology of artificial intelligence becomes more sophisticated and its adoption accelerates, we're also seeing the impact on recruitment in the workplace.

One of the dangers is transmitted bias, which includes the issue of ageism counting against older applicants.

Debbie Goodman, CEO of executive search advisory firm Jack Hammer Global, explains how the number of people applying for jobs has exploded over the last few years, also with the help of AI, which makes it impossible for a human to go through all the applications. As a result, AI-enabled tech is utilised for the first round of screening.

"The way those tools are applied to screening mechanisms is sometimes a bit of a black box... so recruiters might not understand entirely why the tools chose some applications and not others."

Ultimately, however, the blame for bias cannot be placed squarely on AI, Goodman says.

What is happening is that the way in which humans are using these tools is essentially amplifying whatever biases already exist in a system.

"Bias can creep in through the developers and the way in which the tech and the tool is engineered and we know there is inherent bias here. Also, we know that a lot of the AI tools seem to be learning, not necessarily with an actual intelligence, but with pattern recognition."

"And that will recognise the ways in which organisations and recruiters are making selections around who makes it to the first round interview, which candidates look suitable for a particular type of role and are likely to be more successful based on those that in the organisation already are successful."

Where there is already some kind of human bias in the system, the AI tool will simply amplify this, she reiterates.

At Jack Hammer, they've seen how seasoned leaders bring institutional knowledge, real networks, hard-won resilience and commercial instinct you can't manufacture, she says.

"Overlooking them isn't a neutral business decision. It's a costly one."

Scroll up to the audio player to hear more insight from the Jack Hammer Global CEO