The Algorithm: How AI Decides Who Gets Hired, Monitored, Promoted, and Fired and Why We Need to Fight Back Now

About This Project

Summary

In The Algorithm, Emmy-award winning investigative reporter Hilke Schellmann delivers a shocking and illuminating exposé on one of the most pressing civil rights issues of our time: how AI has quietly, and mostly out of sight, taken over the world of work. Inventing new methods and testing AI tools herself, Schellmann is the first one to report on faulty algorithms and systemic discrimination of women and people of color in the world of work, which may have already harmed hundreds of thousands.

Goals & Objectives

With the book I wanted to raise awareness about how much AI is already used in hiring - unbeknownst to so many jobseekers. I also wanted to show how many unscientific methods and blatant discrimination is out there "quantifying" human beings. I hope to shed light on this and offer solutions.

Results & Impact

Most news organizations favorably reviewed the book - The New York Times even called it one of the five best books on AI. I have been invited to data science and HR conferences and asked the makers and users of these tools to change. I will be testifying in front of California lawmakers next month.