SAP to tackle gender bias using machine learning

SAP has announced it will use text mining and machine learning, based on the SAP HANA platform, to build new capabilities within its SAP SuccessFactors HCM Suite to help companies identify and track where biases exist in talent acquisition and management processes to address workplace biases. The company added it will also explore applications for mentoring group to help people from historically disadvantage groups develop their careers, as well as provide tools to encourage better work-life balance. The initiative will be run by the group's recently established Diversity and Inclusion Customer Advisory Group, which will work with customers and diversity inclusion specialists to identify how technology can be used to support workplace inclusiveness. The diversity inclusion specialists will include Elisabeth Kelan, professor of leadership at Cranfield School of Management; Tinna Nielsen, founder of Move the Elephant for Inclusiveness and young global leader at the World Economic Forum; and Tanya Odom, director of innovation and executive coach at The FutureWork Institute; while some of the partnering customers include Erste Group Bank, McCormick & Company, New York Life, Royal Bank of Canada, and Varian Medical Systems. The initial focus for the group will be gender diversity, with Mike Ettling, president of SAP SuccessFactors saying the HCM solution will help organisations standardise their HR processes.