Ethics and Governance Analysis of AI Algorithms in Hiring Decisions

The coursework for the Ethics and Governance module is an individual analysis and critical reflection on the use of AI algorithms in hiring decisions made by organisations. AI applications are the subject of considerable debate, in which one group says that ‘AI will help to create a more ethical world by bringing objectivity and fairness, and the other accuses AI of committing ethical violations such as racism, sexism, and harming privacy’ (Van den Broek et al. 2019, p. 1). Clearly, then, there are ethical, governance and regulatory issues concerned with the use of hiring algorithms, which you are required to address in this coursework.

This assignment aims to assess the following learning outcomes (LOs):

LO1: Identify and appraise existing research related to the handling and governance of digital information;

LO2: Evaluate the legal, social and ethical concerns and consequences related to the use of digital systems in practice;

LO3: Reflect critically on the governance implications of adopting digital technologies in the modern working environment and society.

The requirements of the assessment for the Ethics and Governance module are to provide a

1. i) literature review;
2. ii) case description;
3. iii) reflections, as described below:

Literature Review: To search for and review the literature on the use of AI algorithms in hiring decisions made by organisations, highlighting for each paper you read the stance it develops on the use of hiring algorithms and in what circumstances. Therefore, the requirement for this part of the coursework is to review a minimum of six papers on the use of hiring algorithms by organisations and to discuss the ethical and governance issues raised by each case. For each paper you review, you are also required to consider whether the authors’ reasoning is primarily universalist or relativist, as discussed in the lectures. Please

Department of Computer Science

Reviewing at least six papers and considering both universalist and relativist strands of literature in your submission should be seen as minimum requirements to meet literature review criteria;

Case Description: To provide a description of the use of hiring algorithms by a large European multinational company, MultiCo. Your source for this task is the paper by Van den Broek et al. (2019), which is available via a link from the CS5805 BBL area. The aim of your description is to provide sufficient background information about MultiCo and why the company decided to use hiring algorithms, so that your reader is able to understand your answers to points 3 and 4 below:

Case Description: MultiCo

a) To describe the range of ethical concerns that came to the fore at MultiCo; and

b) To discuss your own ethical stance on the use of hiring algorithms by organisations. You will be expected to refer to relevant literature and module learning materials on ethical perspectives when presenting your arguments;

c) To explain the mechanisms MultiCo incorporated in its hiring processes to address the ethical issues raised by the use of hiring algorithms;

d) To discuss the effectiveness of these governance mechanisms in ensuring a fair hiring process at MultiCo.

e) To discuss whether and how you believe regulation on the use of hiring algorithms should be implemented.

You must provide a justification for your arguments which references relevant regulatory principles and module learning materials, whether you argue for or against regulation.

f) The practical lessons you learned about the use of AI algorithms in organisations by undertaking this assignment;

g) How you might progress your research in, say, an MSc dissertation.

Learning outcome 1: Identify and appraise existing research related to the handling and governance of digital information Grades There is no evidence from the submission of an ability to demonstrate this learning outcome.

There is very little evidence from the submission of an ability to demonstrate this learning outcome.

The submission fails to meet the threshold requirements for this task. However, there is some evidence that the work overall is very close to demonstrating this learning outcome.

Threshold Requirements: The literature review demonstrates a basic understanding of both universalist and relativist perspectives and related research on the use of hiring algorithms by organisations. However, the arguments linking the former to the latter need further development. There is evidence of well referenced sources from existing work.

Merit Requirements: The threshold requirements have been exceeded, but the literature review falls short of a distinctive attempt to analyse existing research in terms of the issues raised and related theoretical perspectives.

Distinction Requirements: The literature review demonstrates critical judgement in the selection and discussion of existing research and its evaluation in terms of the issues raised and related universalist and relativist perspectives.

Learning outcome 2: Evaluate the legal, social and ethical concerns and consequences related to the use of digital systems in practice Grades There is no evidence from the submission of an ability to demonstrate this learning

The submission fails to meet the threshold requirements for this task. However, there is some evidence that the work overall is very close to demonstrating this learning outcome.

Threshold requirements: The submission provides a rudimentary analysis of the ethical and regulatory concerns and consequences related to the use of hiring algorithms by organisations. The description of the MultiCo case clearly summarises key points for a non-expert audience.

Merit requirements: The threshold requirements have been exceeded, but the description and analysis fall short of a distinctive attempt to evaluate the use of hiring algorithms in practice.

Distinction requirements: The description of the MultiCo case skilfully summarises important points about their use of hiring algorithms, providing an excellent basis for the analysis. The analysis shows a thorough understanding of the ethical and regulatory concerns and consequences related to the use of hiring algorithms in practice and provides an insightful account of their use in the chosen case.