Comment by Sushil Baveja

AI should augment human decision-making—not replace it. Hiring decisions directly impact people’s lives, careers and aspirations. Because of that, they cannot be treated as purely transactional or automated outcomes. While AI can improve efficiency, consistency and data-based insights in recruitment, it must be applied with caution and responsibility. AI systems need thorough testing before deployment at scale. They must be transparent, explainable and aligned with the expectations of all stakeholders—candidates, employees, leadership and society at large. If we cannot explain why a decision was made, we should question whether that decision ought to be made by a machine alone. Human oversight is not optional; it’s essential. It ensures accountability. When a hiring decision is questioned, it cannot be attributed to an algorithm. AI can analyse data, identify patterns and reduce manual effort. But values, ethics, intent and long-term cultural fit require human judgment.