Chinese state media have warned that job interviews conducted by AI could worsen gender and age discrimination and violate labour laws as the country seeks to leverage the technology for its economic recovery.
The official Economic Daily on Monday called on employers to be aware of potential risks while using the technology, highlighting that artificial intelligence could have “algorithmic bias and discrimination” when evaluating candidates.
The article said that while AI could make preliminary screening of job candidates more efficient, current algorithms and standards for AI interviews could “hardly fully reflect the complexity and diversity of human behaviour”.
Personal information, such as gender, age and place of birth, might affect the assessment and worsen workplace discrimination, it said.
Government agencies should also take measures to prevent risks and investigate any violations of labour laws with the use of algorithms, it said, noting that a sound regulatory mechanism should be established to prevent the misuse of the technology.
Beijing has eyed AI as a way to spearhead the recovery of its sluggish economy and counter long-term economic challenges, including a shrinking workforce.
China has also sought strict regulatory control over the use of the technology, citing cybersecurity concerns.
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AI is a frontier in the intensifying US-China rivalry in science and technology. In March, Premier Li Qiang introduced an AI+ initiative to integrate technology across traditional sectors to drive economic growth and technology upgrades.
Since late 2022, when US firm OpenAI launched ChatGPT, Chinese tech firms and start-ups have been developing their own models and competing to draw users to their generative AI services. These include Baidu’s AI chatbot Ernie Bot, which was released in March 2023 as China’s first answer to ChatGPT.
China’s labour laws state that company employment policies should not discriminate based on gender, but some employers still only recruit or show preference for men. Earlier this year, Chinese researchers found a significantly increased workplace gender gap during the pandemic.
In recent years, Chinese media reports and public debate have drawn attention to the “age 35 phenomenon”, referring to job discrimination that typically starts around that age. Experts have warned that age discrimination could have potentially serious economic consequences as the country’s population and workforce shrink.
Chinese lawmakers and political advisers have also voiced concerns about potential issues arising from the use of AI and called for effective regulation.
The Monday article noted that government agencies should pay special attention to ensure that AI interviews meet the requirements of relevant laws and regulations.
It also highlighted privacy concerns, noting the potential risk of personal data leaks related to AI interview videos and storage of these videos. The use of the technology should protect against excessive personal data collection and avoid leaks, it said.
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