Exploring Lived Experiences of Fairness and Transparency in Algorithmic Hiring
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Abstract
Artificial intelligence is transforming recruitment, with algorithmic hiring systems now central to organizational decision-making. While fairness and transparency are widely debated, existing studies emphasize technical performance rather than lived human experiences. This study addresses this gap by exploring how candidates and recruiters perceive and interpret fairness and transparency in algorithmic hiring, and how these perceptions influence trust. Using an interpretative phenomenological approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with twelve participants experienced in algorithmic hiring. Analysis revealed four themes: algorithmic opacity, contested fairness, ambivalent trust, and emotional strain. These findings show that fairness in algorithmic hiring is not merely a technical construct but a lived, interpretive phenomenon shaped by emotion and context. The study’s novelty lies in reframing algorithmic fairness through the lens of human experience, emphasizing the need for human-centered AI design and transparent communication to enhance trust and dignity in recruitment.
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