Deliberative focus groups exploring public attitudes towards automated decision making in recruitment

The landscape of job applications is continuously evolving, especially as AI and automated decision-making (ADM) tools become increasingly common. The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) commissioned Revealing Reality to explore public attitudes towards these tools.

From screening CVs to assessing candidate suitability, these technologies are reshaping how companies recruit. But what do job seekers themselves experience, and think about this growing trend?

Participants generally had a limited understanding of how ADM functions, often viewing it in a binary way where decisions were either human or fully automated.

Concerns about fairness and bias were significant. But tensions emerged between the desire for efficient automated processes and the perceived necessity of human involvement. Most participants felt that human involvement remained crucial for ensuring fairness, addressing potential biases, and providing personalised feedback.