EEOC to study use of artificial intelligence in hiring

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is seeking to make sure that artificial intelligence and other emerging tools used in hiring and other employment decisions comply with the federal civil rights laws the agency enforces, its chair says.

Speaking at a seminar, Charlotte A. Burrows said while these tools have “great potential” to improve our lives, the agency is “keenly aware” they can be used to “mask and perpetuate bias or create new discriminatory barriers to jobs. We must work to ensure that these new technologies do not become a high-tech pathway to discrimination.”

Her remarks were reported by the agency in a statement.

The EEOC said the initiative will examine more closely how technology is fundamentally changing the way employment decisions are made, and aims to guide applicants, employees, employers and vendors in ensuring these technologies are used fairly and are consistent with federal law. 

The agency said as part of this initiative it will establish an internal working group, launch a series of “listening” sessions with key stakeholders, gather information, identify promising practices, and issue technical assistance.

It said the new initiative will build on the commission’s previous work in this area.