Who – the protagonist
Matthieu Ayoude, Global Head of Talent Acquisition at a multinational company in Paris.
What?
Matthieu was known for his exceptional skills and unwavering commitment to diversity, taking great pride in his work, as he strived to create an equitable and inclusive workplace.
Matthieu’s dedication to diversity stemmed from his background of having immigrant parents, and understanding the challenges and biases that individuals from under-represented backgrounds often faced.
Why?
Matthieu was concerned by his firm’s plans to implement HireVue, an AI-based video interview platform, for hiring and selection decisions.
The promise of increased efficiency, objectivity, and time-saving benefits captivated the attention of Greg Kraczynski, the Company’s Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), and upper management.
However, Matthieu was aware that the lack of representation in the original dataset, which AI systems rely on, might not have sufficient numbers of reliable observations for the successful hiring of people from underrepresented backgrounds, and non-native speakers, particularly candidates from African descent like himself.
Moreover, Matthieu couldn’t shake off the discomfort of interacting with a machine devoid of the warmth and human touch that genuine face-to-face interviews provided.
When?
Matthieu did everything he could do to convince the CHRO and upper management that AI wasn’t the route to take.
Over a period of time, Matthieu diligently prepared a comprehensive report highlighting the potential biases embedded in AI algorithms and the challenges of relying solely on facial technology for assessing candidates.
He organised meetings, presentations, and discussions to present his findings and engage in thoughtful dialogue. A number of colleagues also shared his concerns and they formed a diverse task force dedicated to exploring alternative solutions and ensuring a fair and inclusive hiring process.
Unfortunately, Matthieu’s concerns and unwavering commitment were ignored by upper management.
Where?
Matthieu’s company was based in the French capital of Paris.
What next?
Matthieu was contemplating his future with the firm.
Whilst recognising the potential advantages of implementing an AI-based interview platform, he struggled to get past concerns of the system exacerbating discrimination against people of colour, non-native speakers, and individuals from marginalised backgrounds.
On the reasons for writing the case…
Mehmet said: “Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been increasingly integrated into our lives in various innovative ways. While the opportunities AI presents to organisations and human experiences are significant, it also raises numerous ethical concerns and potential risks. As a close follower of technology, I have always been fascinated by its innovative applications in the workplace.
“However, despite its widespread use in the workplace, it is surprising that scholarly studies often fail to address timely matters requiring urgent attention, particularly when technological innovations are used subversively.”
On the case writing highlights…
Mehmet continued: “Writing a case study is quite a liberating experience as the key takeaways can be communicated much more efficiently and used in the classroom for greater immediate impact.
“Compared to scholarly writing, case writing offers many benefits for teaching and learning. I believe that as academics, we have a responsibility toward society, and we do not have to wait to collect data to call out when fundamental ethical implications and violations are obvious. We can still communicate beyond the borders of scholarly publications which get overly exclusive, favouring certain types of epistemologies and methodologies.
“For this reason, I found case writing to be an alternative to expanding scholarly communication on critical issues and make a more direct impact in the classroom. Case writing allows for the exploration of real-world scenarios, highlighting both the benefits and ethical challenges of AI use in organisations. This approach allows more immediate and practical discussions, enabling students and scholars to engage with current ethical dilemmas and technological advancements.”
On teaching the case…
He added: “I have been using case studies for different courses I teach, and this particular case has connections to various domains, including Information Systems, Organisational Behaviour, Human Resource Management, Workforce Analytics, and Ethics. While several cases exist along these lines, this case is well-received by students due to its recency, importance, and growing relevance due to different types of AI use cases. The interdisciplinary nature of the case allows it to be versatile in various course discussions and provides students with a comprehensive understanding of AI’s impact on modern workplaces.”
On how students react to the case…
He explained: “Students enjoy using this case as it directly links to today’s organisational challenges around AI-assisted selection and recruitment. They appreciate the relevance and timeliness of the subject matter, which often sparks lively discussions and debates. Over time, I have realised that I can add more interesting questions and approaches to the case to better represent real-world challenges. Students’ engagement with the case has led to deeper understanding and critical thinking about the ethical implications of AI in the workplace.”
On case writing tips…
Mehmet commented: “A good case should be relevant, timely, and capable of provoking critical thinking and discussions among students. It should bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, allowing students to explore real-world scenarios and their implications comprehensively.”
Final word…
Mehmet concluded: “I would like to emphasise the importance of adapting our scholarly communication methods to keep pace with the rapid advancements in technology. AI is transforming the workplace in unprecedented ways, and it is crucial for educators and researchers to address these changes proactively.
“I am currently in the process of writing a progressive case study on the old trolley problem, adding more complexity to the issue and incorporating a techno-pessimistic perspective to the existing paradox. I hope these forward-looking perspectives can trigger meaningful discussions in the classroom that might not be possible without case studies.”
The case
Who – the protagonist
Matthieu Ayoude, Global Head of Talent Acquisition at a multinational company in Paris.
What?
Matthieu was known for his exceptional skills and unwavering commitment to diversity, taking great pride in his work, as he strived to create an equitable and inclusive workplace.
Matthieu’s dedication to diversity stemmed from his background of having immigrant parents, and understanding the challenges and biases that individuals from under-represented backgrounds often faced.
Why?
Matthieu was concerned by his firm’s plans to implement HireVue, an AI-based video interview platform, for hiring and selection decisions.
The promise of increased efficiency, objectivity, and time-saving benefits captivated the attention of Greg Kraczynski, the Company’s Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), and upper management.
However, Matthieu was aware that the lack of representation in the original dataset, which AI systems rely on, might not have sufficient numbers of reliable observations for the successful hiring of people from underrepresented backgrounds, and non-native speakers, particularly candidates from African descent like himself.
Moreover, Matthieu couldn’t shake off the discomfort of interacting with a machine devoid of the warmth and human touch that genuine face-to-face interviews provided.
When?
Matthieu did everything he could do to convince the CHRO and upper management that AI wasn’t the route to take.
Over a period of time, Matthieu diligently prepared a comprehensive report highlighting the potential biases embedded in AI algorithms and the challenges of relying solely on facial technology for assessing candidates.
He organised meetings, presentations, and discussions to present his findings and engage in thoughtful dialogue. A number of colleagues also shared his concerns and they formed a diverse task force dedicated to exploring alternative solutions and ensuring a fair and inclusive hiring process.
Unfortunately, Matthieu’s concerns and unwavering commitment were ignored by upper management.
Where?
Matthieu’s company was based in the French capital of Paris.
What next?
Matthieu was contemplating his future with the firm.
Whilst recognising the potential advantages of implementing an AI-based interview platform, he struggled to get past concerns of the system exacerbating discrimination against people of colour, non-native speakers, and individuals from marginalised backgrounds.
Author perspective
On the reasons for writing the case…
Mehmet said: “Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been increasingly integrated into our lives in various innovative ways. While the opportunities AI presents to organisations and human experiences are significant, it also raises numerous ethical concerns and potential risks. As a close follower of technology, I have always been fascinated by its innovative applications in the workplace.
“However, despite its widespread use in the workplace, it is surprising that scholarly studies often fail to address timely matters requiring urgent attention, particularly when technological innovations are used subversively.”
On the case writing highlights…
Mehmet continued: “Writing a case study is quite a liberating experience as the key takeaways can be communicated much more efficiently and used in the classroom for greater immediate impact.
“Compared to scholarly writing, case writing offers many benefits for teaching and learning. I believe that as academics, we have a responsibility toward society, and we do not have to wait to collect data to call out when fundamental ethical implications and violations are obvious. We can still communicate beyond the borders of scholarly publications which get overly exclusive, favouring certain types of epistemologies and methodologies.
“For this reason, I found case writing to be an alternative to expanding scholarly communication on critical issues and make a more direct impact in the classroom. Case writing allows for the exploration of real-world scenarios, highlighting both the benefits and ethical challenges of AI use in organisations. This approach allows more immediate and practical discussions, enabling students and scholars to engage with current ethical dilemmas and technological advancements.”
On teaching the case…
He added: “I have been using case studies for different courses I teach, and this particular case has connections to various domains, including Information Systems, Organisational Behaviour, Human Resource Management, Workforce Analytics, and Ethics. While several cases exist along these lines, this case is well-received by students due to its recency, importance, and growing relevance due to different types of AI use cases. The interdisciplinary nature of the case allows it to be versatile in various course discussions and provides students with a comprehensive understanding of AI’s impact on modern workplaces.”
On how students react to the case…
He explained: “Students enjoy using this case as it directly links to today’s organisational challenges around AI-assisted selection and recruitment. They appreciate the relevance and timeliness of the subject matter, which often sparks lively discussions and debates. Over time, I have realised that I can add more interesting questions and approaches to the case to better represent real-world challenges. Students’ engagement with the case has led to deeper understanding and critical thinking about the ethical implications of AI in the workplace.”
On case writing tips…
Mehmet commented: “A good case should be relevant, timely, and capable of provoking critical thinking and discussions among students. It should bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, allowing students to explore real-world scenarios and their implications comprehensively.”
Final word…
Mehmet concluded: “I would like to emphasise the importance of adapting our scholarly communication methods to keep pace with the rapid advancements in technology. AI is transforming the workplace in unprecedented ways, and it is crucial for educators and researchers to address these changes proactively.
“I am currently in the process of writing a progressive case study on the old trolley problem, adding more complexity to the issue and incorporating a techno-pessimistic perspective to the existing paradox. I hope these forward-looking perspectives can trigger meaningful discussions in the classroom that might not be possible without case studies.”
