(MENAFN) Ursula von der Leyen, the head of the European Commission, delivered a cautionary message on Thursday, emphasizing the need to prevent the uncontrolled utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) for hiring and firing employees. Speaking at the 15th Congress of the European Trade Union Confederation, von der Leyen defended the European Union's plans to regulate AI systems, particularly in the context of human resource management.
Highlighting the current landscape, von der Leyen revealed that 25 percent of European companies are considering the implementation of AI tools in their HR practices, raising concerns about the potential for automated dismissals. She stressed the importance of recognizing that every algorithm is created by a programmer who possesses their own background and biases. Therefore, it is crucial to acknowledge that no algorithm can be entirely free of biases, underscoring the necessity for clear guidelines and rules to govern their use.
Von der Leyen firmly stated that no individual should be terminated solely based on the decision of an algorithm. The potential consequences of such unregulated use of AI in employment decisions demand action. To address this, she affirmed that the EU Commission is actively monitoring these developments and expressed openness to taking further steps in regulating the use of algorithms specifically in the domain of human resource management.
This statement reflects the growing recognition of the potential risks associated with AI and its impact on the workforce. While AI systems can offer significant benefits in terms of efficiency and decision-making, it is vital to ensure that they are deployed responsibly and ethically. The European Union's commitment to regulating AI systems underscores the need to establish safeguards to protect employees from unfair or biased treatment in employment practices. By setting clear guidelines, the EU aims to create a framework that promotes fairness, transparency, and accountability in the use of AI technologies within HR management.
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