The Herman Trend Alert

January 22, 2020

Using AI to Eliminate Unconscious Bias

In the past, we have covered AI-based telephone recruiting tools used and marketed by Boddie-Noell Enterprises, the Hardees Restaurant folks from Rocky Mount, North Carolina, and have touted their elimination of unconscious bias. Also previously, those technological tools were used very effectively for remote screening of front-line employees. Now, new cognitive technology (AI) corporate recruiting tools are substantially changing the recruiting and hiring processes in developed countries.

Robots take the service to the next level

Whether we know it or not, most of us harbor unconscious bias; this bias not only prevents our hiring the best people, but it may also put our organizations at risk of legal jeopardy. When people are not aware of their personal bias, it is difficult if not impossible to eliminate it. Expecting hiring managers to move beyond their personal bias is unreasonable at best, especially when they would really rather not "waste" their time interviewing candidates at all.

From Sweden comes the Tengai HR robot

Imagine a 16-inch-high robot with a human face asking applicants the critical questions companies need to know. With no emotion, no bias, and no preconceived notions, the device asks the required questions in the same order---with no difference in the voice inflection or tone. Once the interviews are over, the hiring team has complete transcripts of the conversations; the greatest benefit is having identical datasets for all candidates. Those answers can then be used to decide which candidate is the best fit.

Taking the unconscious bias out of the job interview

Released last May, the Tengai HR Robot removes the bias from the interviewing process by performing structured, competency-based interviews, focusing on soft skills and personality traits. Wise companies will also take out the candidates' names to make the process even more anonymous.

Hiring decisions based on facts, not emotions or bias

The Tengai HR Robot helps employers make hiring decisions based on facts, not feelings. Each job applicant receives the same and therefore, fair treatment; their application and interview processes are also not affected by unconscious bias or the recruiter's emotional state. In this objective environment, candidates may prove their soft skills and demonstrate their personality traits. Moreover, speaking with a robot, people tend to feel more calm and secure and research tells us, that relaxed state tends to result in better outcomes.

Tengai is only one of many AI-supported devices

We are only beginning to see how the advancing cognitive technologies will be applied to human resource processes and practices. In some ways, what is coming is a brave new world of technology augmentation. Hang on, it is going to be a wild ride!

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