Talent Bytes - March 2024

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It’s time to stop asking whether technology can replace humans in the recruitment process and rather ask whether it should. You all know by now that I’m a MASSIVE believer that AI can enhance the recruitment process immensely, helping us to do more with less and to do improve accuracy and inclusively.??

However, we've seen a rise in misguided implementations of AI, screening candidates without the proper safeguards, falsely claiming to read micro facial expressions to gauge mood / sincerity, or even trying to pass off as a human interviewer.??

We need to think of the ethical considerations...?

We need to consider the risks...?

The time for ‘playing around’ with AI is over – it's hugely powerful and needs to be treated seriously by any organization looking to reap the rewards. Microsoft’s recent appointment of Mustafa Suleyman is a great step in the right direction – he's been hugely vocal in the dangers of AI from the beginning so should be a wise hand of the rudder.??

People leaders need to take this wave of transformation by the scruff of the neck and act!??

Final note – if you’re using AI to rank candidates make sure you’re testing (and re-testing) the outputs to forensically check for bias. This is already a legal requirement in certain geographies so don’t screw around with it.?

Learning Bytes

The job applicants shut out by AI: ‘The interviewer sounded like Siri’ - The Guardian, March 2024

Key Points:

• AI agents are increasingly being used to replicate human interviews (to limited success – so far)??
• It’s estimated that 40% of companies will use AI interviews by 2024?
• Candidates have found the experience to be lacking??
• Employers worry about attempts to "game" the AI recruitment process?
• My take:? I’ve only seen one convincing AI recruitment software (Interviewer – a teeny company based in New York) and even that had a significant lag on the call. These AI agents will quickly improve but I strongly believe that they should never ‘pass off’ as humans. Candidate will eventually become comfortable with being assessed by AI but do recruiters want to miss out on the opportunity to build relationships with strong candidates? I don’t.

?Generative AI Is a Game Changer for Talent Transformation? - Forbes, March 2024

Key Points:

• There’s huge potential in using AI to power talent management and talent transformation programmes??
• It provides the ability to generate personalized learning and growth trajectories at scale?

• AI can also be used to predict the rise in new skills across functions and industries??
• As always ethical and privacy considerations must remain front of mind??
• My take: This is one of the most exciting ways that HR functions should be using AI. It’s a fantastic example of where technology can be used to reimagine what’s possible rather than jumping straight to looking at where it can save money!??

Researchers Develop New Technique to Wipe Dangerous Knowledge From AI Systems? - Time, March 2024

Key Points:

• Scale AI and the Centre of AI Safety have found a method (CUT) to measure potentially hazardous knowledge in AI models and a "mind wipe" technique to remove it.?
• The study involved experts in biosecurity, chemical weapons, and cybersecurity to prevent AI assisting in creating weapons of mass destruction.?
• Unlearning techniques, like CUT, could be crucial for reducing risks from powerful AI models, but challenges and uncertainties remain.?
• My take: This is a HUGE step in the right direction for harnessing the power of AI whilst controlling the potential downsides. It doesn’t take a huge leap to see how the same techniques could be used to keep harmful biases from impacting AI deployed to support Talent Acquisition and People functions.??

Big Bytes

Listen to Charlie.. Head of Solutions at Amdaris discuss how AI is transforming the TA and HR space. She gives some excellent insights and advice on how SMEs should approach tech implementation amongst other topics.

To continue the AI theme - hear from Alan Walker, one of the co-founders of Udder, on 'The Art of the Possible' for the future of TA and HR tech!

Need to know AI technology for recruitment

More AI tools to discover. To access the full list, click on the image below.

• HireSweet ?- Whip smart founders + Y Combinator + Talent Acquisition = HireSweet, a best-in-class recruitment CRM with more AI and automation than you can shake a stick at. This isn’t one to skip – these guys are going places!??

Thank you for reading the March issue of Talent Bytes

I hope you continue to enjoy each edition!

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