A new study challenges conventional approaches to personnel assessment. Artificial intelligence analyzes faces, predicting careers. It is a strange idea, yet it raises growing concern. Confidence in old methods is crumbling. Technologies are displacing intuition, leaving behind only cold logic.
Face as a mirror of the soul
In the center of attention is the system “Photo: Big Five”, which is to identify personality traits from a photo. It is based on the OCEAN model, where each letter stands for an important characteristic:
- Openness. Knowledge-seeking, creative.
- Conscientiousness. Responsible, and organized.
- Extraversion. Sociable, confident.
- Agreeableness. Empathetic, collaborative.
- Neuroticism. Emotionally unstable.
An AI system was learned by analyzing 96,000 photos of MBA graduates from leading business schools. The algorithm correlated facial features with later success metrics: income, promotions, and school rankings.
“Personality plays a key role. Gaze, behavior, and confidence — define the path. Understanding character reveals prospects. Career success becomes predictable,” notes Kelly Shu, a Yale School of Management professor.
Ethical risks of AI
The introduction of artificial intelligence into recruiting raises serious ethical concerns:
- Algorithm bias. AI systems are trained on historical data containing stereotypes. The Amazon tool incident, which discriminated against women, is a clear confirmation of this.
- Vulnerability of personal information. The collection of personal data of applicants creates a risk of unauthorized access and leaks.
- The opacity of the decisions made. The closed nature of algorithms makes it difficult to understand the logic of the system’s operation, causing mistrust and concerns about biased evaluation.
Balancing technology and human insight
It is necessary to find a reasonable balance between the capabilities of AI and human experience.
“Artificial intelligence is far from perfect. Man is even further. But their collaboration changes the rules. Two imperfections create a result,” experts say.
Regular audits of AI systems, development of ethical standards, and integration with human expertise are the keys to a fair approach.
Employee support
Assessing upon hiring is one thing. AI is aimed at the well-being of staff. It analyzes emotional states and tracks stress levels. Creates individual recommendations.
Conclusion: predictions by photo — pros and cons
Using AI to predict career potential from photos is controversial. While there are perceived benefits, there are risks of bias and breaches of confidentiality. Responsible and ethical use of technology can help create a fair and effective HR policy.