Hired by AI? How avatars could revolutionize the recruiting process

By now, employees have come to terms with the fact that they will encounter AI at work. But are they prepared to work alongside, and in some cases be hired and trained by, virtual assistants? 

Sixty percent of organizations employ AI for talent management, specifically in their recruitment strategies, according to a recent report from management consulting company McKinsey. As with all emerging technologies, AI's use case has continued to evolve and it has reached the point where companies may start to rely on avatars in their hiring process.

That prospect is not as daunting as it sounds. 

"AI avatars can enhance the onboarding process by making it more personalized, efficient and inclusive," says John Son, global marketing manager at DeepBrain AI, a platform that specializes in conversational AI solutions. "They can foster a more engaging and inclusive learning environment, ensuring that all employees feel supported and valued from the very beginning." 

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An AI avatar is a digital representation of a human or character designed specifically to interact with users in a lifelike manner, according to Son. They use AI tech to replicate human speech, expressions and even gestures and can "naturally" engage with real people. There's the added benefit that avatars can provide continuous customized information and support regardless of the hour, in multiple languages and using different accessibility features depending on the applicant. 

As a result, the use of AI avatars minimizes the need for human intervention in certain aspects of the hiring process, according to Son. That frees up training managers and other HR personnel to focus their attention elsewhere. 

"While this adjustment period is necessary, users quickly become comfortable with the new methods," he says. "Once familiar, these AI-driven solutions enable training managers and educators to focus on more strategic and impactful tasks, thereby increasing overall efficiency and reducing unnecessary costs."

Despite the potential benefits, Son warns employers against the common challenges that come with launching AI avatars. For example, transforming extensive educational materials or adapting well-utilized training resources into new formats can require a significant upfront investment in both time and financial resources. However, the benefits of doing so include improved engagement and higher overall retention rates. 

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"By addressing these challenges head-on organizations are significantly enhancing their training processes, making them more efficient and effective in the long run," Son says. "This ultimately leads to a more productive and engaged workforce." 

It's hard to predict when avatars will become commonplace. Given the general unease with AI,  it could still be years before this technology is used beyond the tech sector. Still, if and when organizations are presented with the opportunity to make the investment, Son urges executive teams to consider making the leap. 

"AI can help create a more inclusive workplace by providing equal access to information and training for all employees — regardless of location or ability," Son says. "Which, overall, equals a more efficient, supportive and connected workplace."