Who hasn’t read an article or thinkpiece about the impact of AI by now?

It’s, unsurprisingly, the topic on everyone’s lips.
No matter the industry you look at, technology plays an important role in innovation and efficiency.

We’ve already shared some thoughts on the topic and how it relates to recruitment. If you’d like to read our take on how automation will change recruitment agencies head to the blog.

Today, we want to look at the bigger picture. Where does AI fit into the decidedly human-centric field of recruitment? And just how much should be handed over to machines?
While AI is undoubtedly a game-changer, it’s vital to explore the importance of people and the unique advantages the personal touch brings to the table.

Embracing the efficiency of AI

One of the most-cited advantages of AI in recruitment is the ability to automate processes. Sourcing, screening, and candidate selection can be time-consuming tasks, but with the help of data and analytics, these steps can be streamlined. This, in turn, accelerates the rate at which vacancies are filled, which means happier clients and more business!

This automation also allows recruiters to focus on more meaningful interactions rather than repetitive and mundane tasks.

However, despite these undeniable benefits, there are still steps that require human intervention…

With automation comes the risk of errors

Entrusting every responsibility to a faceless machine may not be the ideal approach, however, especially when working with people and their futures.

If no one is around to measure and confirm the results provided by AI, there is a very real risk of mistakes creeping in (more on that lower down in this article!)

We’ve assessed this in our own business, and it’s for this reason that we insist on prioritising human expertise at every stage of our process. Our dedicated payroll managers and dedicated credit controllers are hands-on with each of our clients, ensuring a personalised and attentive approach.

Navigating bias and discrimination

One significant concern with AI in recruitment is the potential for bias and discrimination in the candidate screening process. AI tools strive to be unbiased, but they rely on historical data, which may inadvertently perpetuate existing biases.

While AI can eliminate some of a recruiter’s personal biases, it can unintentionally amplify systemic biases present in the data it learns from. To counter this, recruiters need to stay close to the process.

The ethical questions of biometric CVs

You’ve likely heard of the use of biometric information in recruitment. Fingerprints, iris scans, and even lifestyle-related information gained from wearable tech devices like Fitbits or Apple Watches promise valuable insights into candidates.
However, there are valid ethical concerns regarding consent, privacy, and potential discrimination. As an alternative, blind CVs remain popular, whereby any non-job-related data is removed to promote fair and unbiased evaluations.

Joining forces

Despite the reservations, AI is primed to have more of an impact on the work recruiters do. And there are undeniable benefits to tapping into this resource.

It significantly reduces costs by leveraging existing databases and streamlining the screening process. Moreover, automation allows recruiters to focus on more strategic tasks, leading to better results and increased client satisfaction. This sort of support allows them the opportunity to focus on the qualitative aspects of the role, such as building relationships with clients and candidates alike, as well as understanding their needs and ensuring customer service is always prioritised.

But while embracing AI’s productivity boost, we can’t afford to forget the power of human connection. Striking the right balance between technology and human expertise allows us to stay close to our clients and truly understand their business needs while delivering only the best results.

If you’re seeking recruitment funding and back office assistance, as a people-centric provider, we’d be thrilled to lend our expertise.

Reach out to us today and experience the transformative power of human-driven service.