Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming American industries, replacing repetitive tasks and optimising workflows. But using a robot to interview job applicants is one technological step too far, new research suggests
A new study has found that less than half of Americans (43 per cent) would feel comfortable about using AI to conduct interviews.
A sample poll of 1,000 respondents found that only 32 per cent would be happy to let it take the lead in the questioning and decision process.
From a generational standpoint, older survey-takers were the likeliest to be uncomfortable with AI leading a job interview, with baby boomers leading that group (56%) and 40% of Gen X sharing the same sentiment.
One-in-four, meanwhile, are still undecided, unsure of what AI interviews might would look like in the real world (26%), according to the survey by Talker Research for Newsweek.
Lars Nyman, chief marketing officer of CUDO Compute, provided insight into why this may be the case.
“The discomfort stems from a fundamental fear of dehumanization and loss of dignity; it’s akin to pitching your life story to a vending machine.
“Certain AI applications, like scheduling or data analysis, are welcomed because they simplify life without stripping it of its human touch.
“In contrast, when AI steps into roles requiring empathy and judgment, like job interviews, the reception is chillier.”
However, Philip Gjørup, co-founder of Nord Comms, sees potential for AI to aid in hiring.
“I believe it is very likely that AI will be used for job interviews in the near future, as companies can train AI to identify precisely the attributes and qualifications they seek,” Gjørup told Newsweek.
Additionally, Nyman supported the idea that AI may help with speeding up the process and providing insight on how AI is already being used within hiring processes.
“The leap to AI-led interviews was only a matter of time,” Nyman said.
However, he added that job interviews are inherently personal, requiring the kind of nuanced interpersonal skills that current AI still struggles to interpret, with Gjørup backing the sentiment that AI isn’t infallible.
“That said, it’s unlikely that AI will completely replace human interviewers — at least for now,” Gjørup said.
Image courtesy Tima Miroshnichenko/Pexels
