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Using Artificial Intelligence to classify Jobseekers: The Accuracy-Equity Trade-off

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 May 2020

SAM DESIERE Open the ORCID record for SAM DESIERE [Opens in a new window]  and
LUDO STRUYVEN
SAM DESIERE
Affiliation:
HIVA, KU Leuven, 3000Leuven, Belgium, email: [email protected]
LUDO STRUYVEN
Affiliation:
HIVA, KU Leuven, 3000Leuven, Belgium, email: [email protected]
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Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly popular in the public sector to improve the cost-efficiency of service delivery. One example is AI-based profiling models in public employment services (PES), which predict a jobseeker’s probability of finding work and are used to segment jobseekers in groups. Profiling models hold the potential to improve identification of jobseekers at-risk of becoming long-term unemployed, but also induce discrimination. Using a recently developed AI-based profiling model of the Flemish PES, we assess to what extent AI-based profiling ‘discriminates’ against jobseekers of foreign origin compared to traditional rule-based profiling approaches. At a maximum level of accuracy, jobseekers of foreign origin who ultimately find a job are 2.6 times more likely to be misclassified as ‘high-risk’ jobseekers. We argue that it is critical that policymakers and caseworkers understand the inherent trade-offs of profiling models, and consider the limitations when integrating these models in daily operations. We develop a graphical tool to visualize the accuracy-equity trade-off in order to facilitate policy discussions.

Keywords

profilingstatistical discriminationpublic employment servicesartificial intelligenceVDAB
Type
Article
Information
Journal of Social Policy , Volume 50 , Issue 2 , April 2021 , pp. 367 - 385
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2020. Published by Cambridge University Press

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