Artificial Intelligence for smart and ethical recruitment : adoption, transformation, and implications for practice

Abstract

The thesis explores the use of artificial intelligence in recruitment processes in Finland and how it works. Although several studies have addressed the use of AI in HRM, most of them are conducted in large markets, and there is a lack of knowledge about the scope of Artificial intelligence (AI) adoption in smaller and regulated markets like Finland. The research method was qualitative, and the data were gathered from nine semi-structured interviews with experienced recruitment professionals throughout Finland. Six themes emerged from the interviews, which were analysed using thematic analysis. The findings indicate that adoption of AI is slow and careful in Finland, and its use is mainly limited to support in administrative tasks like writing job ads, transcribing interviews, and automating candidate communication. All hiring decisions are still human-driven, and none of the organisations rely on AI as a full decision-maker. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) awareness and ethical considerations are significant factors influencing the implementation of AI tools in all organisations. The study also reveals that AI is transforming recruitment on the candidate side, with AI tools being adopted by more candidates to enhance their application, which is a new challenge for recruiters. The results indicate that AI can be best utilized when it enhances human capabilities instead of replacing them. This balance is especially significant in the Finnish context where fairness, transparency, and trust are part of working life.