Background
The current offerings of a Diversity & Inclusion firm were based around membership, training and mentoring. The Managing Director was aware that Artificial Intelligence and digital technology was rapidly impacting ‘Diversity’ and his clients were expecting guidance around the ease and ethics of using this technology.
Expectations from clients ranged from advice around how Artificial Intelligence could be used to provide a diverse pool of candidates to the use of Gamification & Virtual Reality in removing unconscious bias.
Challenge
The biggest challenge the consultancy faced was a lack of practical understanding and exposure to digital & machine learning based products impacting diversity & inclusion. The consultants were very skilled in organisational solutions involving training programmes, coaching and mentoring, but there was limited understanding about AI based solutions in this space. The team was however genuinely curious about how Artificial Intelligence could reduce bias and wanted to explore the pros & cons of using these solutions.
Six month programme
The Managing Director of the firm approached the Hub and initially reviewed several themes that were important elements of a D&I strategy–Talent Acquisition, Talent Management, Coaching, Mentoring and Sexual Harassment. He decided to focus on the recruitment process as it was one of the biggest areas of interest for his clients. The Hub matched an early stage start-up which used AI & Machine learning for workforce planning and first level CV screening. The MD decided to use the solution for several internal roles they were hiring. Through actual usage, the entire team got first-hand experience of the value and impact of AI(versus automation) and its ability to remove unconscious bias. Over the six months of the programme, the Hub assisted the MD and his team in:
- Facilitating the broader discussion and selection of the right solution to create a pipeline of diverse candidates
- Shortlisting of the roles and handholding around the pilot
- Educating the team on the various areas that Artificial Intelligence and Digital solutions were making an impact around improving diversity in organisations
- Monthly learning sessions tracking progress on the pilot
- Exposure to start-ups being used by other corporates participating in the Hub
Outcome
At the end of the programme the MD and his team of consultants were feeling far more equipped to start advising their clients about the impact of Artificial Intelligence on Diversity & Inclusion.
Specifically, they learnt the following:
- How does machine learning(and algorithms) work?
- How can it create a far bigger pipeline of talent?
- How does it help reduce ‘unconscious ‘ bias?
- What are some of the risks to be managed?
- How is the ease and effectiveness of AI solutions different to traditional IT systems?
- What is the availability of solutions in other areas of talent processes?
The MD is now working with the Hub to source some additional products around improve diversity & inclusion at the workplace.