The expansion of artificial intelligence in human resources tasks raises data privacy and bias concerns and a new toolkit aims to help organisations navigate the opportunities and perils of using AI for tasks such as hiring and training.
The World Economic Forum has published the Human-Centred AI for Human Resources: A Toolkit for Human Resources Professionals to scale the responsible use of artificial intelligence in human resources.
A statement from the forum says the toolkit includes a guide covering key topics and steps in the responsible use of AI-based HR tools, and two checklists – one focused on strategic planning and the other on the adoption of a specific tool.
There are now 250 HR tools that use AI, according to the paper. These tools aim to manage talent in ways that are more effective, fair, and efficient.
However, the forum says, the use of AI in HR raises concerns given AI’s potential for problems in areas such as data privacy and bias.
The use of AI in HR also poses operational, reputational, and legal risks to organisations, especially with recent moves in several countries to regulate its use.
“There is therefore high interest in AI in HR but also apprehension, and organisations are looking to navigate this increasingly complex landscape,” the forum says.
To help organisations overcome these challenges, the forum brought together more than 50 experts in HR, data science, employment law, and ethics to create a practical toolkit for the responsible use of AI in this field.
Kay Firth-Butterfield, Head of AI and Machine Learning at WEF, says the use of AI in Human Resources is becoming prolific and yet it can be riddled with ethical AI problems such as bias.
“For this and other reasons the EU has named it a high-risk use of AI. This multi-stakeholder work helps all users to take the right decisions when using these tools.”
The toolkit contents were reviewed by more than 300 HR professionals in private, public, and civil society organisations through focus groups, workshops, and in-depth pilots.
Ani Huang, of the HR Policy Association, says that as large companies innovate with a growing variety of technological tools related to talent and people strategy, questions abound as to how to ensure that technology is used responsibly and effectively.
“The Human-Centred AI for HR Toolkit is a practical guide to the responsible use of AI in HR that we hope will assist HR professionals to properly assess AI tools, improve diversity and inclusion outcomes, and support ethical AI practices for their organisations.”
