In today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape, artificial intelligence (AI) has become an integral part of many industries, including background screening. With its ability to process vast amounts of data quickly, AI offers efficiency and convenience, making it an appealing tool for businesses seeking to streamline their screening processes. However, while AI undoubtedly offers numerous benefits, relying solely on it for background screening can be risky and potentially detrimental. In this blog post, we’ll explore why it’s crucial to select a vendor that combines AI with human expertise to ensure accuracy and reliability in background checks.

The Limitations of Artificial Intelligence in Background Screening

While AI algorithms can analyze large datasets and identify patterns, they lack the nuanced understanding and contextual awareness that human beings possess. Here are some limitations of AI in the context of background screening:

  1. Limited Contextual Understanding: AI may struggle to interpret certain nuances in data, such as distinguishing between legitimate discrepancies and fraudulent information. For example, an AI system might flag a minor discrepancy in employment history without understanding the legitimate reasons behind it, potentially leading to false conclusions.
  2. Inability to Verify Accuracy: AI can process data at a rapid pace, but it may not always prioritize accuracy over speed. Without human oversight, there’s a risk of accepting inaccurate or outdated information, which could have serious consequences for hiring decisions.
  3. Risk of Biases: AI algorithms are only as unbiased as the data they’re trained on. If the training data contains biases, the AI system can perpetuate and even amplify those biases in its decision-making process, leading to unfair outcomes in background screening.

The Importance of Human Review

To mitigate the limitations of AI in background screening, it’s essential to have human oversight at every stage of the process. Here are a few examples of why:

  • Misspelled Names: If AI is searching for records for a name that is spelled wrong – you aren’t going to get accurate results back for YOUR candidate!
  • Name Variations: We all know someone who uses a nickname – whether an obvious one like ‘Jack’ for John, or ‘Lizzy’ for Elizabeth – or one that you may not realize is a nickname. AI can often miss those little variations that can make all the difference when it comes to an accurate search.
  • Incomplete Records: AI can miss or dismiss a record when it is technically a match, but something is missing (which would require more human research).
  • Tone and Connotation: AI cannot hear tone of voice or connotation when verifying employment or references. Tone of voice often tells a story that a computer can’t understand.
  • Other Variations: When AI is searching for a job title or skill set keywords, if the search criteria isn’t exact or withing certain perimeters, it can miss matches. On the flipside, AI can pick up on something that may not ‘technically’ be a match. Example; one company may call all of their salespeople ‘sales managers’, when they are not actually traditional ‘sales managers’.  Or a company may have a creative title for the sales manager, and a great candidate could be missed.

Choosing the Right Vendor

When selecting a vendor for background screening, it’s crucial to choose one that combines the power of AI with human expertise. Look for a vendor like ProVerify™ that:

  • Offers a blend of AI-driven automation and human review in their screening processes. AI is a great tool, it just still needs a little human help when it comes to things like background screening.
  • Prioritizes accuracy and reliability by conducting thorough verification checks on all reports. When you expect ‘instant’ reports, you will get ‘instant’ results – meaning a human hasn’t looked at it!
  • Provides transparency and accountability in their methodologies, allowing clients to understand how decisions are made.
  • Keeping that ‘human’ touch in this Human Resources function.

Conclusion

While AI has revolutionized many aspects of background screening, it’s not without its limitations. Relying solely on AI for background checks can lead to inaccurate results, missed opportunities, and potential legal risks. By choosing a vendor that incorporates human oversight into their screening processes, businesses can ensure greater accuracy, fairness, and reliability in their hiring decisions. In an increasingly automated world, the human touch remains indispensable, particularly when it comes to matters as critical as background screening.

Would you like more info? Email us today for a free quote or to learn more! sales@applicationverification.com