Robots Are Now Deciding Who Gets Job Interviews

Companies today use computer programs called AI to help them choose which people get job interviews. These programs look at resumes and decide who might be good workers. But new research shows these AI systems might not treat all people fairly when they apply for jobs.

Scientists at Stanford University studied over 4 million job applications. They found that AI hiring systems often treat people differently based on their race. This means some qualified people might not get interviews just because of their background. The researchers are worried because many big companies now use the same AI programs to hire workers.

These computer systems work by scanning resumes for certain keywords and patterns. They look for specific skills, education, and work experience. The AI gives each resume a score and only passes the highest-scoring ones to human managers. Some job seekers have started trying to trick these systems by adding special words to their resumes.

The problem is that most people don't even know when AI is judging their job applications. They might never find out why they didn't get called for an interview. This makes it hard for people to improve their chances or challenge unfair decisions. The Stanford researchers say this creates serious problems for fairness in hiring.

Meanwhile, some tech experts are also studying how fast messaging affects our lives. An app called Roost sends messages at different speeds, like old-fashioned mail or carrier pigeons. The creators want people to think about whether instant texting is always better. Americans send billions of text messages every day, and many young people prefer texting over phone calls.