Fears interviews done by robot AI 'stop clever working-class kids getting jobs'

There are fears that robot interviews by webcam that judge candidates on the way they speak will stop well-qualified youngsters from less privileged families getting jobs

Job interviews done by robots are sparking fears of discrimination against working-class youngsters.

Artificial intelligence takes into account facial expressions, gestures, tone of voice, and even whether a candidate uses certain words when judging interviewees.

During the process candidates sit in front of their own webcam before being asked questions by a robot interviewer.

Tech bosses claim the system reduces bias and levels out flaws in human-led decisions, increasing fairness for applicants.

But Becci Newton, of the research centre Institute for Employment Studies, said: “There are considerable risks for disadvantaged kids because they haven’t got the perfect Eton accent and beautifully compiled grammar and maybe they don’t look you in the eye for the whole interview.

“They’re already least likely to know how to perform in an interview and they may need somebody to bring them out a bit and may already feel unconfident about it, before having to stare into a webcam with no one at the other side of the screen.

“If you take these things too far into the process you’re actually narrowing rather than widening diversity.”

Studies have revealed a 67% increase in video interviews in the past year and 40% of firms used robots to screen and assess interviewees.

Among the companies using AI technology to ­interview candidates are giants such as PwC, Unilever, Kingfisher, Hermes, JP Morgan and Amazon.

Ms Newton said it was mostly used by larger firms, adding: “Working-class kids who have done well and got to a good university are likely to encounter this, particularly for degree-entry apprenticeship jobs.”