UK Launches Guide for Ethical AI in Recruitment

The UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has recently unveiled guidance titled ‘Responsible AI in Recruitment’. This publication underscores the necessity of considering ethics when embedding AI technologies within human resources and recruitment functions. It identifies the risks of perpetuating existing biases, creating digital exclusion, and partaking in discriminatory job promotion and targeting.

The document additionally speaks to the significance of AI assurance mechanisms and international standards in alleviating these risks and cultivating trust. Such mechanisms are intended to assist organisations in evaluating the performance of AI systems, handling potential hazards, and ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory standards.

Targeted at entities looking to incorporate AI into their recruitment processes, the guidance caters to readers with varying degrees of understanding of AI. It is particularly pertinent for companies regardless of whether they have an established AI strategy.

It addresses the likelihood of bias and discrimination throughout the recruitment cycle, from the sourcing of candidates to the final selection. The guidance cautions against digital exclusion based on age, disability, economic status, or religious beliefs.

The document offers various considerations for organisations when deploying AI in recruitment, along with approaches to mitigate the identified risks.

Conforming to the UK government’s AI regulatory principles, which support an innovation-friendly approach, the guidelines emphasise principles such as safety, clarity, fairness, and accountability.

Tania Bowers of APSCo expressed her endorsement of the guidelines, highlighting the importance of clear directives in mitigating risks associated with the advent of new AI tools in the recruitment industry. She emphasised the significance of these guidelines following the recent adoption of the EU AI Act, suggesting that adherence to these principles is crucial to avoid discrimination and ensure proper use of AI tools.

Bowers pointed out that the guidelines serve as an educational resource rather than statutory law. APSCo intends to provide additional support through a ten-step plan designed to aid recruitment firms in the compliant implementation of new tools.

The creation of this guidance was supported by various bodies, including the ICO, EHRC, REC, CIPD, Autistica, and the Ada Lovelace Institute, reflecting a wide-ranging collaboration across different sectors.

The issuance of the guide aligns with the European Parliament’s recent enactment of the Artificial Intelligence Act, aimed at protecting rights and environmental sustainability while fostering innovation and affirming Europe’s leadership position in AI technology.