Study: AI technology no silver bullet for hiring the best employees

Artificial intelligence technology is now used by a growing number of companies looking to hire the best employees, but new research from Rice University warns how it can incorporate biases and overlook important characteristics among job applicants. The study explores the scientific, legal and ethical concerns raised by personnel selection tools that rely on AI technologies and machine learning algorithms. Authors Fred Oswald, a professor in the Department of Psychological Sciences at Rice University; Nancy Tippins of the Nancy T. Tippins Group, LLC, and independent researcher S. Morton McPhail reviewed the use of this technology. Oswald says that AI technology--which includes games, video-based interviews and data mining tools--can save time in the job application process and the screening of potential employees. But he believes the effectiveness of these tools is questionable.