DOL Promotes Inclusive Hiring with the Rise of Ai-Powered Tools

Championing AI and inclusive hiring practices, the DOL has released a new framework for employers to follow while hiring. The Labor Department’s AI framework was published by the Partnership on Employment & Accessible Technology and funded by the department’s Office of Disability Employment Policy. The goal of the policy is to support the inclusive use of AI in hiring while benefiting disabled job seekers who might not be treated equally. 

According to the press release, the framework included inputs from disability advocates, AI experts, government and industry leaders, and the public, creating a comprehensive structure for hiring in the future.

DOL Introduces Framework for AI-Powered Inclusive Hiring

The Department of Labor has designed an AI framework for reducing discrimination in the realm of employment. The more advanced AI becomes, the more we will see its presence in various areas of the workforce. With the proliferation of AI, relevant guidelines are necessary to ensure that no one is negatively affected or discriminated against. 

“The Office of Disability Employment Policy works with many employers eager to hire people with disabilities and benefit from their talents,” Assistant Secretary for Disability Employment Policy Taryn Williams said in the press release. “These employers recognize that AI tools can improve recruitment and hiring but may also impact workplace culture and inclusion of disabled employees. The AI & Inclusive Hiring Framework published today charts a clear course for employers to navigate this transformation successfully.” 

The DOL’s recommendations on AI hiring practices are not designed to be enforced as law. Instead, they are designed to provide an outline for employers to follow when the time for the implementation comes.

We have already seen states like Colorado make their own progress toward establishing regulations with regard to the indiscriminate use of AI. These guidelines will not go into effect for a year more but they do set the precedent for other regions following their lead with similar regulations. The DOL’s AI hiring practices were preceded by a previous set of AI principles that looked into the implementation of AI systems within the workplace so it is quite evident that the department is determined to prepare the workspace for the seamless integration of AI.

The Labor Department’s AI framework has ten focus areas mentioned: identify legal requirements, establish staff roles, inventory technology, work with vendors, assess impacts, provide accommodations, use explainable AI, ensure human oversight, manage incidents, and monitor regularly. The framework urges employers to have a systematic approach when considering the use of AI, ensuring that all the relevant parties are aware of its implementation and brought along on the journey. 

It also encourages employers to be transparent about AI use and provide support for those who may be negatively impacted by its use. The mention of human oversight is also a critical point when considering AI use in inclusive hiring practices to ensure that no latent bias or unintended discriminating factors prevent individuals from seeing a fair chance at being hired.

Overall the Department of Labor’s AI hiring guidelines provide a very helpful framework for an organization to lay out its own policies of AI-powered hiring. It is impossible to ignore the very real role that AI is beginning to play within the workplace so it is best that organizations that do want to embrace AI do so in a manner that is considerate of the workforce.

The post DOL Promotes Inclusive Hiring with the Rise of Ai-Powered Tools appeared first on The HR Digest.

Source: New feed