AI in HR Guidance

The rate of publications and guidance on the use of AI in HR is increasing.  Summaries of two publications of note this month are:

Guidance on use of AI in recruitment

The Government has published Guidance on Responsible AI in Recruitment,
intended for organisations seeking to procure or deploy AI systems in their recruitment processes.

• AI in Recruitment: The guidance discusses the ethical risks and novel challenges of using AI in recruitment, such as bias and digital exclusion, and emphasizes the importance of AI assurance mechanisms for trustworthiness.
• Assurance Mechanisms: It outlines actions to evaluate AI systems’ performance, manage risks, and ensure compliance with UK’s AI regulatory principles during procurement and deployment.
• Ethical and Legal Compliance: The document stresses the need for compliance with the Equality Act 2010 and UK GDPR, particularly regarding discrimination and data protection in AI-enabled recruitment processes.
• Continuous Oversight: Recommends regular bias audits, risk assessments, and performance testing to maintain AI systems’ fairness and effectiveness post-deployment.

This guidance serves as a non-technical framework for HR professionals to responsibly procure and deploy AI tools in recruitment, aligning with UK government principles and legal requirements.

Impact of Generative AI on work in the UK

The Institute for Public Policy Research has published a report on how generative artificial intelligence could affect work in the UK – and how to manage it 

• Technological Impact: The report discusses the transformative effects of generative AI on the UK workforce, highlighting both the potential benefits and risks associated with its implementation.
• Generative AI: It defines generative AI as software capable of creating text, code, and data, with some models demonstrating reasoning abilities at an undergraduate level.
• Job Exposure: An assessment reveals that certain jobs, particularly back office roles often held by women, are currently most exposed to generative AI, with potential for significant job displacement.
• Policy Recommendations: The authors advocate for a job-centric industrial strategy for AI, emphasizing the need for policies that protect jobs, foster new task creation, and mitigate the impact of reduced labour demand.