Role of AI in HR : Augmented Language Platforms in Neutralizing Gendered Recruitment

Abstract:

Words create a great impact, especially in job descriptions. The words that are used in job descriptions influence the candidates to apply for a job. The masculine traits are the most commonly used terms in job descriptions, which may potentially discourage the minorities and underrepresented groups to apply for a job. To combat this issue, organizations are using augmented language platforms to detect masculine or feminine words and replace them with gender-neutral words. This study aims to analyze the effectiveness of these platforms and to understand whether these augmented writing platforms have a direct impact on employee diversity at workplaces. Additionally, interviews were conducted with organizational leaders, equity & diversity champions, and HR professionals to understand the practicality of diverse hiring, the usage of augmented language platforms, and other strategies that these professionals adopt to increase diversity at their workplaces. Based on the data collected from the fortune magazine, the results fail to show a direct relationship between the companies that use the augmented language platforms and their employee diversity data. These artificial intelligence (AI) based augmented language platforms might help the companies to increase the diversity of the candidates applying to a particular role, but they are not alone effective in increasing the overall employee diversity at organizations.

The interviews also pointed out the two potential reasons behind why there might not be a direct relationship between the augmented platforms usage and employee diversity data. The first reason is the biased data set. The interviewees stated that these AI platforms use traits from the data set which is already biased, and the second reason is due to the discrimination and unconscious bias in the selection process. Furthermore, findings imply that setting a clear diversity target, a strong strategic and inclusive communication plan, and accountability tend to be effective in establishing and achieving gender equality at the workplace.