Let the Robot Do the Work! – NYC Law Facilitates AI-Driven Employment Tools with Bias Audit Requisite

As Artificial Intelligence (AI) usage increases in the American workforce, so does the worry regarding possible bias and accuracy. Nowhere is this worry more prevalent than in New York City, which has just enacted legislation to address such concerns. The new law, 2021 Local Law 144, requires employers and agencies to have AI-driven employment tools such as Freshworks, Breezy HR, and Zoho Recruits be audited for bias within a year’s time and made publicly accessible. The response to the new law is mixed, with calls for proactive measures to protect workers’ privacy.

Privacy Concerns Among Upper-Class Workers Regarding AI: Pew Research

According to Pew Research, 32% of respondents believe AI in the workplace will harm job applicants and employees. It’s no surprise then that 71% would reject a job that uses AI to evaluate applicants. Upper-class workers had the highest amount of concern, with 90% concerned about privacy. However, to ensure AI doesn’t do more harm than good, tech industry leaders have called for transparency, training, and education.

New York City may be leading the charge in AI-regulated fairness in the workplace. The Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) will investigate all complaints involving bias and have detailed that “Calculations of civil penalties for violations will be case specific” with separate violations allowed for each day that AEDT usage violates the law.

AI Tools like OpenAI ChatGPT Benefit HR Departments: B2B Reviews Report

DCWP highlighted the importance of finding the balance between the rights of job applicants and the needs of businesses and their rulemaking and audit process reflect this goal. AI usage can save businesses valuable time while at the same time preventing bias or error in employment decisions and compliance with the new law is essential to providing safe and equitable workplace practices.

While the new rule is designed to protect job applicants from discrimination, the business sector is finding success in utilizing AI technology. According to a B2B Reviews report, 21% of surveyed Human Resource departments are saving about 70 minutes per week through AI-tools such as the OpenAI ChatGPT. Even more impressive, 10% of those HR departments used a chatbot to draft termination letters.

AI Technology Advancements: Enhancing Decision-Making and Ensuring Bias-Free Hiring

Worker education on AI may take time, but efforts to ensure fair decisions in the workplace are valuable. Present AI technology is more advanced than ever, with greater potential to both improve decision-making and ensure bias-free hiring processes. NYC’s legislation sets an example for US lawmakers, encouraging wider use of AI-driven tools to protect workers.

To restore trust in AI, employers and employees must be aware of and adhere to the law, fostering ongoing discussions. By actively promoting legal awareness, compliance, and open dialogue, trust in AI can be fostered and maintained. As AI technology advances, fostering trust between employers and employees will be crucial to ensure ethical and fair usage.