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When recruitment processes of companies are considered, one could say that humans- especially recruiters- are playing a significant role. Evaluating CVs, selecting candidates, conducting job interviews, and hiring applicants are tasks that used to be executed by humans. However, times have changed and the digitalization trend has also reached the HR departments of companies. New techniques such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) are becoming increasingly popular and are changing the recruitment game in the HR world. 

An interesting aspect to consider is the way AI is developed for recruitment processes. In short, intelligent programs are monitoring what aspects are desired or undesired based on datasets. By adopting this data and by recognizing patterns, algorithms are designed and outputs are created. For this entire process, AI relies on multiple fields including: ‘computer science, mathematics, psychology, linguistics, philosophy, neuroscience, and artificial psychology’ among others (Wilfred, 2018, p.16).  Regarding the implementation of AI, this can be used in many different recruitment tools, including; automated candidate sourcing, facial expression analysis, talent acquisition, and video job interviews, and chatbots (Neelie, 2019) 

Considering the reasons for companies to incorporate AI within their recruitment processes, several advantages can be pointed out. First, AI is considered to be an objective selection tool that can screen large groups of candidates. This means that after certain criteria are set, AI can generate valuable outputs on a pool of applicants based on these criteria. As a result, the quality of hiring and effectiveness may be improved (Windley, 2021). Furthermore, by using an algorithm, much time can be saved by recruitment teams as certain programs can generate outputs in a short amount of time. This will positively affect the recruitment processes since time is considered a very valuable component by most businesses (Windley, 2021). 

An important condition for the successful use of AI is a useful and trustworthy dataset. If this is not the case, chances are high that companies obtain undesired results. For instance, in 2015, Amazon noticed that their newly developed AI recruiting tool was discriminating against women. This was due to the fact that the dataset, that had been used by the machine learning algorithm, included much data from previous years.  As many of the CVs in this dataset were from men, the system was biased which consequently lowered the rating of female resumes during the screening process (Dastin, 2018). 

Although AI in recruitment may also have negative consequences, as described in the previous section, the benefits are high. Therefore, the combination of HR and Artificial intelligence is believed to be powerful in the future. 

Sources:

Wilfred, D., 2018. AI in Recruitment. NHRD Network Journal, 11(2), pp.15-18.

Windley, D., (2021). Is AI The Answer To Recruiting Effectiveness?. [online] Forbes. Available at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbeshumanresourcescouncil/2021/06/16/is-ai-the-answer-to-recruiting-effectiveness/?sh=4d3be9ef2d7c.

Dastin, J., (2028). Amazon scraps secret AI recruiting tool that showed bias against women. [online] reuters.com. Available at: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-amazon-com-jobs-automation-insight-idUSKCN1MK08G.

Neelie. (2021). 9 Intriguing Uses of AI in Recruitment in 2019 – Harver. [online] Available at: https://harver.com/blog/ai-in-recruitment-2019/.

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In the past few weeks, volcanic eruptions in La Palma have made the headlines. As reported by multiple news sources, this natural disaster is causing many tragedies economically and environmentally.  Fortunately no fatalities were reported so far with regards to the eruptions in La Palma, however, volcanic eruptions have proven to be deadly in the past. For instance, the eruption of the Indonesian volcano Anak Krakatau can be classified as one of the deadliest natural disasters which took more than 36.000 lives. Nevertheless, humans have been able to save an increasing number of lives from explosive eruptions over the past years, which is mainly due to accurate predictions of volcanologists about the likelihood of eruptions. What role does technology play in this? 

Data monitoring and visualization

Predicting volcanic activity and averting risks is one of the top priorities of volcanologists and scientists. By using several techniques, which are predominantly related to data monitoring and data visualization, volcanologists have averted many disasters. One key technology that is used by these scientists is GIS technology – Geological Information System. This information system intends to visualize the surface of the Earth by collecting huge amounts of topographic data. Also, GPS satellites are used to monitor the ground activities on the volcano and generate data. For this, GPS receivers are placed on the volcano, while GPS satellites are examining the surface and sending signals to the ground units. The generated data is analyzed by volcanologists. Important factors to consider are the speed and the direction of the surface movement. Based on this information, scientists can visualize the activity of the volcano.

Scientists also use Spiders, special robots which monitor the gases within a volcano. Using Spiders, scientists can easily detect whether a volcano is likely to erupt as it emits a higher amount of the substance sulfur dioxide right before impact.

As digitalization is occurring, scientists are able to use Artificial Intelligence and build models of volcanic activity accordingly. For instance, the interferometric synthetic aperture radar technique (InSAR) is used by several satellites to collect images of ground activity. This technique was used even more a while ago, when the European Space Agency started to use Sentinel Radar A1 and B1 satellites. As satellites struggle to continuously analyze the high amount of pictures, machine learning is used to develop an algorithm. Using this algorithm, newly received data can be examined and compared to previous patterns. Consequently, decisions could be made about likely eruptions. 

As known, erupting volcanoes could be disastrous if debris reaches a populated area. Therefore, governments use the above-mentioned tools and information to enhance their decision-making and improve their evacuation plans. Due to these monitoring processes, new technologies, and developed risk management, nations can continue to avoid national tragedies and save many more lives in the future. 

Sources:

McEvoy, J., (2021). La Palma Volcano Eruption: Wall Of Lava Flows Down Hillsides Of Spanish Island, Destroying Everything In Its Path (Photos). [online] Forbes. Available at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/jemimamcevoy/2021/09/22/la-palma-volcano-eruption-wall-of-lava-flows-down-hillsides-of-spanish-island-destroying-everything-in-its-path-photos/?sh=5d7567e31fbc [Accessed 28 September 2021].

Greif, V. and Vlcko, J., (2011). Monitoring of post-failure landslide deformation by the PS-InSAR technique at Lubietova in Central Slovakia. Environmental Earth Sciences, 66(6), pp.1585-1595.

Available at: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12665-011-0951-x 

Encyclopedia Britannica (2021). volcano – Four of the worst eruptions in history. [online] Available at: https://www.britannica.com/science/volcano/Four-of-the-worst-eruptions-in-history [Accessed 26 September 2021].

Usgs.gov (2021). USGS to Install New Volcano Early Detection and Monitoring Stations at Mount Hood–Improving Early Detection of Unrest at this Active Volcano. [online] Available at: https://www.usgs.gov/news/usgs-install-new-volcano-early-detection-and-monitoring-stations-mount-hood-improving-early  [Accessed 29 September 2021]. 

Usgs.gov. (2021). Networks of GPS receivers track ground movement at volcanoes. [online] Available at: https://www.usgs.gov/natural-hazards/volcano-hazards/networks-gps-receivers-track-ground-movement-volcanoes [Accessed 29 September 2021].

Palmer, J. (2021). The new science of volcanoes harnesses AI, satellites and gas sensors to forecast eruptions. [online] Available at: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-01445-y [Accessed 25 September 2021].