Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps the Government is taking to help ensure that automated and remote recruitment processes do not act as a barrier to entry-level employment for young people with no prior work experience.

Most AI systems are already regulated at the point of use by our existing expert regulators. The ICO has recently closed a consultation on their draft guidance about automated decision-making, including profiling.

Government has previously published Responsible AI in Recruitment guidance which sets out good practice procuring and deploying AI systems for HR and recruitment. This guidance highlights the mechanisms that can be used to ensure the safe and trustworthy use of AI in recruitment.

We have also recently launched the Early Careers Jobs Alliance to bring together employers, trade unions and young people to look at how to ensure there continues to be high quality routes into work in sectors highly exposed to AI. The Alliance will start with a focus on the Digital and Technologies sector and will be co-chaired by Prospect’s General Secretary Mike Clancy and the government’s AI Champion for the Digital and Technologies sector, Katie Gallagher OBE.