Jobsuche: Würden Sie ein Bewerbungsgespräch mit einem Roboter führen?

Felix Müller, a 26-year-old software developer at a large chemical company, experienced a robotic interview for a position at a Swedish food company. The virtual recruiter presented him with standard questions about his strengths, weaknesses, and future career aspirations. The avatar's speech moved, yet lacked authenticity, similar to a telephone bot on a customer hotline.

Many German companies now use AI recruiters for initial interviews with candidates. These AI recruiters can interview hundreds of applicants simultaneously, 24/7, without fatigue or illness, and can speak multiple languages fluently. They assist in weeding out large numbers of applicants, saving recruiters time and money. However, the impact of AI interviews on job seekers remains a topic of debate.

While AI recruiters can potentially help identify undiscovered or disadvantaged candidates, they might also discourage the most qualified applicants. According to a survey by Greenhouse, a US job platform, 42% of German job seekers stopped their application process due to an AI interview. Wolfgang Brickwedde, head of the Institute for Competitive Recruiting in Hamburg, stated that the impact of AI interviews on the number of suitable candidates is difficult to measure.

A Stanford study showed that over 34,000 applicants for a Junior Frontend Engineer position abandoned the selection process in favor of a KI-Recruiter. While AI interviews can speed up the selection process, they may also lead to a higher dropout rate among top candidates. On the other hand, AI interviews can help recruiters quickly assess candidates without first impressions, biases, or discrimination based on appearance.

Marius Luther, founder of Berlin-based AI recruiter "Madita," claims that AI interviews can help prevent discrimination. However, concerns remain about the emotional impact of AI interviews, particularly the phenomenon known as "emotional creepiness." Studies suggest that AI, which closely resembles humans, can cause deep unease.

The KI-recruiter Madita conducts audio conversations, recording no external features, making her interviews more accessible to people with a migration background. Despite efforts to eliminate bias in AI systems, the emotional impact of AI interviews on job seekers remains a concern.