The fear of becoming surplus to requirements because of advancements in AI is one shared by millions of workers, but are AI recruitment tools posing a specific threat to women trying to return to employment?
After a career spanning decades, with senior corporate roles in fashion, and a period of freelancing, 52-year-old Stacey Duguid decided to find “one last job”.
What followed was 16 months of sending “gazillions” of CVs, with little more than a handful of automated replies, despite never previously struggling to find work.
Feeling “lonely and shameful” and wondering if it was a “me problem”, she posted on social media asking whether other women her age were having the same experience.
The response was overwhelming, with thousands of women saying they were facing similar struggles.
Stacey, who lives in north London, believes AI-powered recruitment tools could be contributing to the problem and has “Botoxed” her CV by removing references to her age and experience.
“AI holds a mirror up to society. It’s a reflection of our bias,” she said.
“I’m not saying this is just a women’s issue; I’ve had messages from men too. My point is about gendered ageism.”
