Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing the world, and the field of recruitment is no exception. AI-powered tools like ChatGPT are becoming increasingly popular, as they can optimize and transform time-consuming processes and tasks.
In this article, we’ll explore all things AI and how it relates to recruitment. Read on to learn more about the basics of AI, different types of AI, how ChatGPT works, and the advantages and disadvantages of using it.
What is AI?
The four main types of AI are Reactive Machines, Limited Memory, Theory of Mind, and Self-Aware. The latter two represent theoretical AI that can interpret, understand, and behave with a consciousness that is basically human (think replicants, HAL9000, WALL-e, C-3PO, etc.). For now, we’ll focus on Reactive Machines and Limited Memory AI since Theory of Mind and Self-Aware machines do not currently exist (yet).
Reactive
Like the name suggests, these systems “react” to input with no previous memory and are designed to complete specific tasks. Machine learning models tend to be considered reactive machines because they take input data and deliver recommendations based solely on that data. Think Netflix recommendations or the infamous IBM Deep Blue computer that beat the world Chess champion after a six game match.
Reactive Machines are predictive and they use machine learning to process the data collected from a customer’s search or viewing history to make relevant suggestions. For example, the Netflix recommendation algorithm mentioned above uses machine learning to process data collected from a person’s viewing history and suggests movies and TV shows they might enjoy. Unlike limited memory models (which we’ll get to in a moment), reactive machines are designed to take specific input and deliver specific output. These machines don’t get “smarter” as they acquire more data.
Limited Memory
This type of AI imitates the way our brains’ neurons work together, meaning that it gets smarter as it receives more data to train on, referred to as deep learning. Deep learning improves image recognition and other types of reinforcement learning.
A real-world example of Limited Memory machines would be self-driving cars. Self-driving cars use sensors to collect data about their surroundings, such as the speed and location of other vehicles, the presence of pedestrians, and the traffic signs. The car’s AI system uses this data to make decisions about how to navigate the road safely and remembers the past few seconds of driving data. This allows it to track the movement of other vehicles and pedestrians, and to anticipate potential hazards. The AI system also uses limited memory to learn from its mistakes by storing that information and using it to improve its decision-making in the future.
Which AI category does ChatGPT fall into?
Tools like ChatGPT, Bard, Bing, and others, are advanced chatbots called a Generative Pre-trained Transformer (GPT). GPT models are trained on massive datasets of text and code, and they can generate text, translate languages, write different kinds of creative content, and answer your questions in an informative way.
GPT’s work by breaking down your prompt into smaller units of meaning, such as words and phrases to understand your request. It then uses its knowledge of the world to generate a response that is relevant to your prompt and that is likely to be what you are looking for. This is done with a technique called natural language processing (NLP) to understand your prompt combined with machine learning to generate responses based on the creation of algorithms that can learn from data.
These GPT’s are a more powerful and versatile form of AI than limited memory and reactive AI. They have a much larger memory, can learn from mistakes, and understand and respond to natural language. This makes them much more capable of performing complex tasks and having more human-like conversations.
What are the advantages?
Streamline Processes
This seems obvious, but some of the tedious work that eats away the time can be optimized through ChatGPT. For example, technical recruiters can use it for generating search keywords, transforming those keywords into Boolean search strings, writing job descriptions, formatting resumes, and creating email templates. Those precious minutes gained from offloading these administrative items can really add up and reallocate time to focus on more strategic tasks, such as building relationships with candidates and sourcing top talent.
Understand Complex Technologies
They might be tasked with finding the technical experts, but it’s almost impossible for a technical recruiter to be an expert in every single platform, industry, and specialty they’re recruiting for.
Explaining and clarifying complex systems and information is arguably ChatGPT’s main purpose and what it does best. The combination of machine learning with language processing translates dense information into more understandable terms based on specific prompts. For example, a recruiter could ask ChatGPT what Salesforce is, how it works, and what skills are required to be a Salesforce administrator or summarize a lengthy technical article about the latest features of Oracle Cloud.
Assess Candidates
This is perhaps what makes ChatGPT the most useful tool in a recruiter’s arsenal when it comes to assessing candidates. It can be used to generate interview questions based on job descriptions, search candidate resumes for specific keywords, and even analyze interview responses.
Generate Content
Though there is some debate as to whether or not ChatGPT can (or should) create original content as well as a professional copywriter, it can still provide a helpful platform to build your own content. With the right prompts, it can help write LinkedIn posts, candidate summaries, and other recruiting materials as well as provide topic inspiration for thought leadership, outline blog ideas, write headlines, and conduct research. ChatGPT can even proofread your content for spelling and grammar.
What are the disadvantages?
Plagiarism & Misinformation
Simply put, ChatGPT can often generate wrong or inconsistent responses to individual prompts. It’s important to remember that ChatGPT is a powerful machine that has been created by humans and subject to human error, just like us.
Additionally, ChatGPT’s responses are rooted in machine learning from existing datasets which creates the risk of using plagiarized content. Before using AI-generated content, always be sure to check for plagiarism and misinformation. This can be done relatively easily by using a plagiarism checker.
Data Limitations & Bias
Further controversy for ChatGPT has focused heavily on the implications of algorithm bias, which can have unintended negative consequences for recruiters in particular. Algorithm bias is the term used when a machine learning model produces results that are systemically prejudiced due to assumptions made within the machine learning process because of incomplete or inaccurate data. As we said earlier, AI is created by humans and subject to human error, whether intentional or unintentional.
Privacy & Confidentiality
This is the final and perhaps most significant issue with using ChatGPT for both personal and professional use. It’s building blocks mean that every conversation, prompt, or inquiry is logged and used for training and improving the machine’s learning model, leading to concerns about user data and privacy.
In fact, Italy recently banned ChatGPT and restricted Bard, Google’s rival chatbot, to users over the age of 18 over privacy concerns and alleged violations of General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Large corporations such as Amazon, Walmart, Apple, and even OpenAI’s partner Microsoft have also cautioned employees against using the technology or outright banning it completely over similar concerns, especially in the wake of a data breach earlier this year.
It’s important to never enter any Personally Identifiable Information (PII), client or candidate information, proprietary, or other sensitive data into ChatGPT.
Conclusion
AI is a powerful tool that has the potential to revolutionize the way we recruit and ChatGPT is just one example that can help save time, improve efficiency, and make better decisions.
But with great power, also comes great responsibility. ChatGPT is not perfect, and can generate inaccurate or misleading information which can have major consequences in real-world situations. It is also important to act responsibly and ethically and no sensitive information should ever be revealed in any prompt or request.
Overall, AI is a promising technology that has the potential to make a positive impact. Always remember to use it wisely and to be aware of its limitations.