Can artificial intelligence improve workplace management?
How can we prevent AI, used in human resource management and recruitment from creating discrimination and bias in industry? How can we develop and use AI with the goal of promoting equality and inclusion of staff with diverse backgrounds?
These are some of the questions that Guðbjörg Linda Rafnsdóttir, professor of sociology, and former pro-rector for science at the University of Iceland, is seeking answers to in the BIAS-research project along with a multidisciplinary team of collaborators in 9 European countries. Last year, they received funding from Horizon Europe, the European Union's research programme, to analyse biases and pitfalls when AI is used in management. The aim is, furthermore, to develop solutions using AI to increase diversity in decision-making. Diversity means including factors such as gender, nationality, religion, age, disability, etc.
In addition to Guðbjörg Linda, who leads the BIAS project on behalf of the University of Iceland, team includes Ragna Kemp Haraldsdóttir, associate professor, and Thamar M. . Heijstra, professor, and Dilys S. Quartey, a doctoral student.
The BIAS-research project comprises a multidisciplinary team of collaborators in 9 European countries. Last year, they received funding from Horizon Europe, the European Union's research programme, to analyse biases and pitfalls when AI is used in management.
Developing a debiasing system for language models in human resources
Last week, a meeting was held in Venice, where representatives from each collaborating country were invited to participate. Specialists in designing artificial intelligence, Hafsteinn Einarsson, a lecturer in computer science at the University of Iceland, and Sigyn Jónsdóttir, CTO at the software company Öldu, as well as Katla Berg Magnússon, HR manager at Marel, were invited to the meeting from Iceland. The meeting focused on developing a so-called debiasing system or debiaser, that aims to identify and reduce bias in language models used in HR management.
"I encourage everyone interested in the use of AI in management and recruitment to follow the project on its website and apply for membership to the national network of the project (National Lab). Those who are registered on the national network receive comprehensive information on the project, its progress and key findings as well as invitations to participate in events and activities," says Guðbjörg Linda.
The project's website is https://www.biasproject.eu/
To join the National Lab please register here.
