Is AI in recruitment a 'race to the bottom'? (www.bbc.com)

A recent exploration of AI in recruitment highlights concerns over its efficacy and ethics, particularly after an interview experience with an AI that encountered technical glitches. As companies face a 12% decline in job vacancies and a 65% increase in applications, AI tools like those from Test Gorilla are being adopted to streamline candidate screening. However, these tools risk oversimplifying complex human qualities into mere keywords, potentially leading to a "race to the bottom" in recruitment standards. The perception that candidates are evaluated more by automated processes than human judgment raises questions about the true value placed on applicants. Further complicating the landscape, experts argue that while AI can provide advantages—like saving time for recruiters—this technology may inadvertently contribute to biases and ineffective screening practices. As candidates learn to game AI systems by tailoring their responses for algorithmic preferences, genuine qualities may be overshadowed. There’s a growing worry that the over-reliance on AI could prevent recruiters from discovering talented individuals who don't fit neatly into algorithmic criteria. Industry voices suggest a balanced approach, where AI serves as a tool rather than a replacement, ensuring that nuanced human evaluation remains integral to the hiring process.