Is It Safe To Upload Your Resume Into AI?

As artificial intelligence continues to influence so many aspects of modern life, questioning the security of your information is only natural, especially when it relates to your resume. The near limitless potential of AI tools is intriguing, unnerving, and precarious all at once. Despite revolutionary advancements in natural language processing and machine learning, cybersecurity concerns must be considered when employing these new technologies. This guide explores the potential risk factors of uploading your resume into an AI.

Uploading your resume into an AI platform should be safe, provided that the company takes cybersecurity seriously. That said, the prospect of candidate data becoming compromised is very real. One major concern among experts is the risk of bad actors gaining access to candidate data. This is performed through adversarial attacks that exploit vulnerabilities by manipulating machine learning tools. The problem is that while many companies do prioritize cybersecurity, there’s so much we’re still learning as AI continues to evolve.

Another valid concern raised by experts is how candidate data is analyzed and stored using AI screening tools. Using artificial intelligence, organizations can evaluate resumes, CVs, and social media profiles almost instantly. These capabilities can also carry ethical implications, as AI could block worthy candidates based on preset parameters and hiring history. This is why it’s essential for companies to provide transparency in how artificial intelligence is managing personal data during the hiring cycle.

Although AI algorithms can process large amounts of candidate information rapidly, they can also be especially vulnerable to potential data leaks. This is partially due to the sheer volume of data that artificial intelligence is tasked with managing during recruitment. These pose some risks to candidate privacy data, which companies must continue to monitor as AI becomes increasingly integrated into the hiring process.

Another potential concern is the link between artificial intelligence and discrimination. During a study by the University of Washington, researchers utilized three AI-powered tools to rank resumes for 500 real jobs. Findings showed that the AI systems preferred names associated with white candidates 85% of the time, while names typically associated with black candidates were favored at a rate of only 9%. Similarly, male names were preferred at a 59% rate, while names usually associated with women were preferred 11% of the time. While this shouldn’t be viewed as a definitive statement on all AI screening tools, the study does shed light on how they might be susceptible to discrimination despite federal regulations.

While AI tools are highly effective in automating many facets of the hiring cycle, reliance on artificial intelligence risks removing the human element from the hiring process. These new technologies must be harnessed with proper oversight from HR and technology professionals to prevent data breaches and other security concerns.

The truth is that while there are legitimate security risks associated with AI screening tools, job seekers don’t have much of a choice. Over 88% of companies have already integrated artificial intelligence into the recruitment process, so it’s unlikely you’ll be able to avoid uploading your resume into an AI program. That said, the hope is that over time, we’ll continue to understand better how to harness the potential of artificial intelligence in a safe and ethical way.

When confronting cybersecurity and ethical concerns related to artificial intelligence, transparency is essential. Organizations need to be open with candidates about how AI is being implemented during the hiring process, especially if they’re relying on a tool from a third party.  Some U.S. states have passed laws making it mandatory for companies hiring in that state to enable the job applicant to opt out of their resume being reviewed by AI as the first step in the job application. Companies should also perform regular audits to help reduce the risk of discrimination and ensure compliance with government regulations.

The continued adoption of artificial intelligence in recruiting and countless other areas of modern life is inevitable. There are reasons to be wary and nervous about the evolution of AI, but the potential benefits are also intriguing. By learning how to leverage artificial intelligence tools tactically and ethically, we can use this new technology to enhance our productivity.