Page 19 - PA_Enterprise_November-2024

PAE
important that both candidates and HR
professionals understand the pros and cons of
integrating AI.
“From a candidate point of view, there has
been a recent rise in individuals using AI
technology to create CVs, write cover letters
and in some cases complete recruitment tests.
While this may at first seem like a time saving
tactic for candidates, recruiters are left with a
high volume of inadequate resumes making it
harder for genuine applicants to be identified.”
It is reported that about half of all applicants
are using tools such a ChatGPT to help with
the recruitment process, without editing, which
is potentially adding thousands of low-quality
applications to an already saturated labour
market.
Rebecca continued: “Further to this,
candidates are being met with a rising
number of fake job ads since AI became
more prevalent in the industry. This doesn’t
only cause an issue for genuine candidates;
it also creates a real challenge for recruiters
to ensure their integrity and authenticity
continues to be trusted.”
The Office for National Statistics (ONS)
show that 4.1 per cent of people in the UK
are currently unemployed, which accounts
for roughly 1.44 million people (aged 16
– 64). Furthermore, the ONS highlight
that unemployed members of the UK are
competing for 857,000 job vacancies (from
June – August 2024). These statistics go to
show the importance for recruiters to find
the right candidate for every job, but with the
emergence of AI this is more challenging than
ever.
These new technologies also pose a
number of risks, including digital exclusion,
September 2024
discriminatory job advertising and targeting,
plus perpetuating existing bias. Some experts
report AI tools are inaccurately screening
some of the most qualified job applicants
as concerns grow the software is removing
the best candidates. From a recruiter’s
perspective, this can be a really damaging set
of challenges and highlights the need for a
human touch.
Rebecca added: “Aside from the
discrimination risks when personal data is
inputted into an AI platform, there is also a
real risk to data privacy. Transparency is a key
element to data protection and such collection
and analysis is often invisible. Individuals
can unknowingly share personal information,
unaware it’ll be analysed and stored through
AI technology.
“It is the role of HR professionals to provide
an honest, fair and transparent recruitment
process to each candidate and through the
introduction of AI tech, this can’t always be
guaranteed.
“I feel many people still underestimate the
power and challenges of AI technology
which will inevitably lead to great risks and
recruitment challenges down the road.
Despite the strides in the development of AI
technology, there is still a long way to go.
“Though it is evident AI will play a lead role
in many industries, supporting efficiency
and potentially paving the way for workforce
advancements, it is important people
recognise its short fallings. The empathetic
and personal approach of a human cannot
be underestimated, on both the side of the
candidate and the HR professional.”
hrnews.co.uk
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