Key Takeaways from HR Pulse: Insights into AI in HR

Beyond the Hype: Addressing Bias with Data-Driven Insights

• While AI can perpetuate bias if trained on skewed data, Manto Papagianni highlighted its potential to be a powerful bias revealer. By analyzing hiring data, AI can uncover existing human biases and guide efforts towards a more equitable hiring landscape. “The data will reveal the true success factors for your company,” emphasized Manto Papagianni.

Building Trust: Transparency is Key

• “There should always be a human being involved in overseeing how technology is being used,” stressed Dan Coombs. Transparency is paramount in building trust with candidates. Equally important, as Dougal Martin pointed out, is staying informed on legal and ethical considerations surrounding AI, similar to how HR professionals stay apprised of other compliance requirements.

Ethical Employer: From User Experience to Data Ownership

• Manto Papagianni showcased how AI can foster trust through a candidate-centric user experience. Bryq’s candidate portal provides personalized results, helping candidates understand their strengths, preferred work environments, and potential career paths. Maintaining transparency goes beyond the candidate experience. “I think that transparency breeds trust and people just need to talk about how they're using this technology,” added Dougal Martin. Dan Coombs emphasizes the importance of data ownership, urging HR professionals to ask “who owns the data?” when considering any AI software provider.

Lessons from Clinical AI: A Model for Responsible Development

• Dougal Martin drew valuable parallels between AI in HR and clinical AI. Just as clinical AI helps identify potential health issues but doesn't replace human diagnosis, AI in HR can flag potential biases but shouldn't solely dictate hiring decisions. “An AI can’t diagnose cancer. A human can after a series of clinical investigations and tests. But an AI can tell you what the likelihood that you have a malignant tumor is and how long you might live. But that's a probability function. It's not a diagnostic function,” explained Dougal Martin. These insights underscore the importance of responsible AI development and human oversight in the hiring process.

The Future of Work: A Collaborative Approach

• The future of HR is one where AI and human expertise work together. AI, as Manto Papagianni envisioned it, acts as a collaborator, providing objective data to enhance human decision-making. This data-driven approach allows HR professionals to make informed choices while minimizing the impact of personal biases.

Building a Fairer Future: It Starts with the Data

• Janelle Gates reminded us that biased data fed to AI is the root cause of unfair outcomes. The successful implementation of AI in HR hinges on using diverse and representative training data to ensure fair and unbiased decision-making throughout the hiring process.

Transparency and Clear Expectations: Setting the Stage for Success

• Dan Coombs emphasized the need for clear expectations. Establishing clear job descriptions with minimum required skills, agreed upon by leadership, creates a fair playing field for all applicants.

The takeaway is clear: AI has the potential to revolutionize HR by promoting a more inclusive and efficient hiring process. However, responsible development, diverse data sets, and ongoing efforts to identify and address potential biases are crucial for its success.

This discussion at HR Pulse paves the way for a future where AI and human expertise work together to create a more streamlined and equitable hiring experience for all.

Manto Papagianni

As Head of Product at Bryq, in the HR Tech sector, Manto Papagianni is responsible for driving product development, portfolio enhancement, and delivering exceptional user experiences. Over 10+ years of experience in software product management and strategy. From law and management studies to EU institutions and beyond, her career journey reflects a passion for mobility and learning agility. She’s navigated diverse sectors—from CSR/PR to energy and telecommunications—leveraging each opportunity to expand her skills and drive growth. 

Dan Coombs

Dan is an accomplished talent acquisition executive, leader, mentor, and philanthropist. As the President of Catch Talent, he is instrumental in driving recruiting efficiencies, business development, customer retention, and client success to ensure efficient operations in support of the rapid growth and business needs of our clients. Dan has over 27 years in the technology recruiting industry. Before joining Catch Talent, he spent over 18 years with TEKsystems leading several major markets nationally.

Dougal Martin

Dougal Martin is the Senior Manager of Knowledge at Deel, where he currently leads a team building the world’s most comprehensive (and helpful) payroll and employment compliance knowledge base. His former experience includes communications and knowledge management roles within the insurance, immigration, legal, VC, and clinical AI sectors.