LinkedIn has introduced its first AI agent, the Hiring Assistant, designed to automate repetitive tasks for recruiters and significantly enhance recruitment efficiency. This launch follows a year after LinkedIn unveiled Recruiter 2024, a suite of features leveraging generative AI to streamline the hiring process for talent leaders.
The Hiring Assistant is seamlessly integrated into LinkedIn’s platform, enabling recruiters to manage routine tasks such as identifying candidates, crafting job descriptions, and conducting initial screenings. Early adopters of this tool include prominent companies like Siemens, Canva, and Zurich Insurance.
LinkedIn emphasizes that recruiters often face the challenge of balancing administrative duties while assisting individuals in finding jobs. Globally, over half (55%) of HR professionals report that work expectations are higher than ever, and 42% feel overwhelmed by the numerous daily decisions they must make.
LinkedIn believes that its AI agent, developed with insights from over 1 billion members, 68 million companies, and 41,000 skills, will alleviate the pressures on recruiters by streamlining tasks and reducing administrative burdens.
Recruiters can upload job descriptions and notes into the Hiring Assistant, which then translates this information into role qualifications and creates a pipeline of qualified candidates. The AI agent can also identify past applicants from their Applicant Tracking System and learn each recruiter’s preferences for a more personalized experience.
Since the launch of Recruiter 2024, recruiters using AI-assisted messages have experienced a 44% higher acceptance rate, with candidates responding 11% faster. Additionally, AI-assisted search sessions have resulted in an 18% higher InMail acceptance rate compared to manual filters.
However, amid these advancements, the South African Artificial Intelligence Association (SAAIA), an industry body focused on promoting responsible AI in South Africa, has recently filed a complaint with the Information Regulator of South Africa. The complaint concerns LinkedIn’s use of data to train AI models for its platform without obtaining prior consent.
The SAAIA argues that LinkedIn’s practices may violate local data protection laws, including the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA). In response to similar concerns, LinkedIn reportedly suspended the use of data from UK users for AI training in September after regulators raised issues.
