Schellmann, an investigative reporter who holds artificial intelligence accountable, has had her work published in The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, The New York Times, and MIT Technology Review. She is currently writing a book on artificial intelligence and the future of work for Hachette, titled “The Algorithm.”
In her upcoming lecture, Schellmann will share insights from her investigative work on how HR departments use automation software in hiring practices. Her research reveals that these tools, while promising efficiency, often propagate bias and fail to find the best candidate for the job. Schellmann’s work is a timely exploration of the intersection of technology, ethics, and the future of work, making it a must-attend event for anyone interested in these topics.
The lecture is part of the Forum on Government and Public Policy series, which has been inviting journalists and commentators of diverse ideologies to speak on politics, government affairs, public policy, and international relations since 1979. These lectures deal with issues of regional, state, and national importance. This year’s sponsors include Casa Monica Hotel and Leonard’s Photography.
All lectures are free and open to the public. For more information about this event, please contact Anna Gilbert, Associate Director of Special Events, at (904) 826-8716 or AGilbert@Flagler.edu. If you need to request an accommodation due to a disability for reasonable access or participation, please contact the Director of the Disability Resource Center, Phil Pownall at Ppownall@flagler.edu. If you need an ASL interpreter to participate, please contact HCorry@flagler.edu.
Schellmann’s book, “The Algorithm,” demystifies how HR departments use automation software that not only propagate bias but also fail at the thing they claim to do: find the best candidate for the job.
“When you saw your first example of an AI hiring tool, you were impressed. How has your thinking evolved since then?” Schellmann was asked in an interview with Publisher’s Weekly.
“The first product demo I saw showed a tool magically calculating an interviewee’s facial expressions and predicting how amazing this person would be at a job or not...The more I talked to vendors and applicants, the more the magic got chipped away. It turns out there’s no scientific bearing for it,” she replied. “If the tool has a worse success rate than a random number generator, I suggest we don’t use it.”
