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Efficient, but Ethical? A Qualitative Study on AI-supported Recruitment

Grundström, Hannah LU ; Högberg, Elsa and Kahrimanovic, Ines (2026) SYSK16 20261
Department of Informatics
Abstract
The use of AI-supported recruitment systems is increasing rapidly, raising important ethical questions. The study explores how HR professionals perceive and manage ethical challenges related to AI-supported recruitment, as well as how these challenges are managed in practice. The study is based on a qualitative method where semi-structured interviews were conducted with six respondents working with AI-supported recruitment in Sweden and the United States. The analysis is grounded in a theoretical framework and previous research concerning algorithmic bias, fairness, transparency, human oversight, and AI regulation. The findings indicate that AI is often perceived as a valuable support tool that may contribute to more structured and... (More)
The use of AI-supported recruitment systems is increasing rapidly, raising important ethical questions. The study explores how HR professionals perceive and manage ethical challenges related to AI-supported recruitment, as well as how these challenges are managed in practice. The study is based on a qualitative method where semi-structured interviews were conducted with six respondents working with AI-supported recruitment in Sweden and the United States. The analysis is grounded in a theoretical framework and previous research concerning algorithmic bias, fairness, transparency, human oversight, and AI regulation. The findings indicate that AI is often perceived as a valuable support tool that may contribute to more structured and consistent recruitment processes while reducing certain forms of subjective human bias. At the same time, respondents express concerns regarding algorithmic bias, lack of transparency, overreliance on automated systems and uncertainty regarding the interpretation of legal and regulatory requirements. The study further shows that human involvement, education, and critical evaluation of AI-generated outputs are perceived as central strategies for mitigating ethical risks. Overall, the findings suggest that ethical AI use in recruitment is shaped through the interaction between technological systems, human judgment, organizational practices, and the interpretation of legal and regulatory frameworks. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Grundström, Hannah LU ; Högberg, Elsa and Kahrimanovic, Ines
supervisor
organization
course
SYSK16 20261
year
type
M2 - Bachelor Degree
subject
keywords
AI ethics, algorithmic decision making, human judgement, recruitment, HR-professionals
language
English
id
9237707
date added to LUP
2026-06-16 10:29:21
date last changed
2026-06-16 10:29:21
@misc{9237707,
  abstract     = {{The use of AI-supported recruitment systems is increasing rapidly, raising important ethical questions. The study explores how HR professionals perceive and manage ethical challenges related to AI-supported recruitment, as well as how these challenges are managed in practice. The study is based on a qualitative method where semi-structured interviews were conducted with six respondents working with AI-supported recruitment in Sweden and the United States. The analysis is grounded in a theoretical framework and previous research concerning algorithmic bias, fairness, transparency, human oversight, and AI regulation. The findings indicate that AI is often perceived as a valuable support tool that may contribute to more structured and consistent recruitment processes while reducing certain forms of subjective human bias. At the same time, respondents express concerns regarding algorithmic bias, lack of transparency, overreliance on automated systems and uncertainty regarding the interpretation of legal and regulatory requirements. The study further shows that human involvement, education, and critical evaluation of AI-generated outputs are perceived as central strategies for mitigating ethical risks. Overall, the findings suggest that ethical AI use in recruitment is shaped through the interaction between technological systems, human judgment, organizational practices, and the interpretation of legal and regulatory frameworks.}},
  author       = {{Grundström, Hannah and Högberg, Elsa and Kahrimanovic, Ines}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Efficient, but Ethical? A Qualitative Study on AI-supported Recruitment}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}