Organizations across the country are increasingly making the case for using AI technology in recruiting. Some experts argue that it can actually reduce biases in the hiring process; however, risks exist — including algorithmic bias. This new framework was published by the Partnership on Employment and Accessible Technology (PEAT). It aims to act as a tool to support employers in their use of AI in hiring, offering best practices to promote inclusive hiring and to increase benefits for job seekers with disabilities.
It offers 10 focus areas that employers can adopt in AI governance and hiring initiatives to promote disability-inclusive processes. The framework intends to support organizations, job seekers and workers, and others interested in advancing inclusive AI governance and practices.
Notably, this resource is based on the AI Risk Management Framework that the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) released in January 2023. That guidance was created at the direction of Congress to help organizations identify and address risks of AI systems.
The new framework was developed through collaboration between the Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) and PEAT, in collaboration with NIST and other partners. To create it, these organizations leveraged input from disability advocates, AI experts, public- and private-sector experts, and the general public.
ODEP works with employers that understand the role of AI tools to improve inclusive hiring processes for people with disabilities, as Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disability Employment Policy Taryn Williams detailed in a statement: “The AI and Inclusive Hiring Framework published today charts a clear course for employers to navigate this transformation successfully.”
The initiative aligns with several other federal government efforts. For example, the federal government and partners are working together to understand how AI at large can impact accessibility. Also, the October 2022 release of the Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights — which some experts argue does not go far enough — promotes inclusive digital hiring practices for workers from marginalized and underserved communities.
