At People Test Systems’ HR Science events in Vejle and Copenhagen on 6 and 13 November 2024, Grith Okholm Skaarup, founder of Humtech, presented her insights on the future of work. She discussed how we can balance technological potential with human needs and create value through their interplay. In this blog post, we sum up some of the cases and points in Grith Okholm Skaarup’s presentation, which received great feedback after the event.
Grith Okholm Skaarup, founder of the company Humtech, works as a management consultant, serving on many boards and advisory committees. A frequent lecturer and teacher both in Denmark and abroad, she also communicates as an expert and journalist, for example as editor of the platform Humtech Impact and host of the podcast Aftryk – humanitet i en techtid (Impact – Humanity in a Tech Age). She has more than 20 years of experience as a manager and advisor in companies such as Poul Schmith/Kammeradvokaten, Workz and Zentropa.
Amazon: AI was supposed to promote diversity, but did the opposite
Amazon developed an AI-based recruitment tool with the goal of promoting diversity and attracting more women to positions in the tech sector. The algorithm was supposed to analyse applications without knowing the gender of the applicants, thereby ensuring a fairer process. But the result was the exact opposite.
The algorithm started to favour men because it was trained using historical data, in which men dominated the tech sector. Instead of correcting biases, the system used other data such as wording, hobbies and educational background to indirectly give men higher priority. Amazon had to withdraw the system, which goes to show that technology alone cannot solve deep-seated disparities. Human insight is needed to make sure technology works fairly and ethically.
LinkedIn algorithms and gender bias
Grith Okholm Skaarup also mentioned LinkedIn as an example of how technology can create unintended biases. The algorithms on the platform favour men in job ads because men search for jobs and click on posts more frequently. This means that men are exposed to more job opportunities, while women see fewer. This creates a self-reinforcing effect, in which technology and behaviour help perpetuate disparities. Understanding and working with these mechanisms is crucial when it comes to creating equality.
A thought experiment: Do we filter out annoying people?
Grith Okholm Skaarup asked the question: What happens if we replace our colleagues with AI-based human robots? Imagine a robotic assistant who always listens, says the right thing and provides the exact answers you want. While this sounds attractive, we could lose something essential.
The colleagues who challenge us and see the world differently are often the ones who help us grow. If we rule them out, we risk creating closed echo chambers and losing the friction that leads to innovation and new perspectives. The convenience of technology should not replace the human relationships that create depth and variety in our working lives.
Five key points from Grith Okholm Skaarup’s presentation
- Technology is not neutral
Algorithms learn from historical data; if that data contains biases, technology can inadvertently amplify them. - Blind recruitment requires forethought
Removing personal data is a step in the right direction, but if the data is still biased, it doesn’t solve the problem. - Transparency is vital
Tech solutions should be open and comprehensible so they can be adjusted and improved when they produce unintended results. - Human insight makes all the difference
Technology can streamline processes, but it is humans who ensure that solutions remain fair and ethical. - Inclusion requires awareness
Technology should be used as a tool to promote diversity – not to inadvertently create new barriers.
The future is bright and meaningful, if we do things right
There is a huge fear that AI will take over our jobs. However, historically, technology has created more jobs than it has eliminated. The key is to keep the tasks that add value and meaning while allowing technology to handle routine tasks and optimise our processes. This creates a window of opportunity where we can choose to give people more freedom. That way, we can find time to focus on the critical human attributes we need to cultivate going forward – not only complex problem solving, creativity and analytical and cognitive thinking, but also rest, deep work and flow, which boost both the bottom line and mental well-being.
Grith Okholm Skaarup’s message was clear: Technology is a huge resource, but it must be used wisely. It is in the interplay between human insight and technological possibilities that we find solutions for a future that’s both efficient and meaningful. We still need the people behind it if we are to ensure the best recruitment and build valuable jobs. As Grith Okholm Skaarup sums it up, the leadership of tomorrow will be about the impact we leave on the planet and each other.
If you want to see Grith Okholm Skaarup’s PowerPoint presentation from the event in Copenhagen, you can download it via this link (danish version only).
