## 4 Study 1: Exploring Recruiters' Perceptions of AI Tools
### Results
#### 4.2.3 Disadvantages of AI Tools  
Based on recruiter feedback regarding the use of AI tools in recruitment, seven categories emerged, offering a nuanced perspective on the potential disadvantages of integrating AI into the recruitment process. The categorization of these insights resulted in the following categories: \"lack of human touch\" (36%); \"possibility of error and lack of precision and reliability\" (25%); \"job reduction and unemployment\" (18%); \"ethical issues and privacy and data protection\" (15%); \"resistance to change\" (11%); \"AI implementation costs\" (9%) and \"excessive dependence\" (7%). Firstly, a prominent concern raised by recruiters was the lack of human touch in the recruitment process, cited by 36% of respondents. Despite the advanced capabilities of AI, many recruiters felt it falls short in capturing the individuality and nuances of candidates. As noted by several participants, \"soft skills are difficult to evaluate with a machine\", and there is a \"lack of emotion and empathy that make us (humans) unique\". This absence of interpersonal interaction leads to a \"loss of a closer relationship with candidates\", resulting in a process perceived as less humanized and personalized. Recruiters emphasized that personalization and humanization are vital for fostering positive candidate engagement--an aspect AI still struggles to replicate effectively. \"Without these elements, candidates may feel undervalued, potentially impacting their overall experience and perception of the hiring organization\". Another key disadvantage frequently mentioned by recruiters was the possibility of errors and the lack of precision and reliability in AI tools, which was cited by 25% of respondents. \"Errors or bugs in the systems can significantly impact outcomes, particularly when inaccurate or incomplete data is input, or when algorithmic flaws generate unreliable results\". This lack of rigor and inadequate data validation can lead to the inadvertent exclusion of qualified candidates. As one recruiter noted, the \"lack of critical analysis and insufficient software precision can result in false positives and negatives, ultimately hindering the candidate selection process\". Additionally, concerns were raised about \"poorly constructed algorithms that may fail to identify relevant profiles\", further emphasizing the potential risks associated with AI tools in recruitment. Additionally, several limitations of AI tools were identified. For example, AI often focuses narrowly on technical skills while \"ignoring important interpersonal skills\" that are essential for many roles. Others noted instances where AI \"generalizes information without adapting to specific situations\", leading to potentially inaccurate or incomplete assessments. The potential extinction of jobs emerged as one of the most serious concerns, mentioned by 18% of recruiters. The fear is that \"AI can lead to a reduced demand for specialized labor, ultimately contributing to increased unemployment\". \"The progressive replacement of people by machines or algorithms is seen as a transformation that can negatively impact those who thrive in the human-centered aspects of the recruitment process\". Ethical and legal challenges associated with AI in recruitment emerged as critical concerns for 15% of the recruiters. A prevalent issue highlighted was the potential for bias and discrimination, as algorithms, if not carefully monitored and refined, could inadvertently perpetuate existing biases. Respondents noted the importance of actively addressing this risk to ensure fair and equitable recruitment practices. Another significant concern is the \"legal uncertainty surrounding the use of AI, particularly regarding data protection and the handling of candidates' personal information\". Recruiters emphasized that \"implementing AI in recruitment must be accompanied by strict ethical guidelines to prevent discriminatory practices and ensure compliance with relevant data protection laws\".