4th April 2025
On March 25 and April 1, the BIAS project hosted a two-day capacity-building event, organized by SmartVenice in collaboration with the University of Iceland. The event, held online, targeted HR professionals and aimed to explore AI’s role in management and recruitment. To maximize participation, we opted for two half-day sessions rather than a single full-day event. We believed this format, two three-hour sessions instead of one six-hour session, would be more accessible for busy professionals.
The response was very positive. Almost immediately after the event was advertised, we received 57 registrations. Mannauður, the Icelandic HRM association, promoted the event on its website, and it was announced by our National Lab members. Additionally, Dilys S. Quartey, a doctoral student in the BIAS project, invited HR managers whom she had previously interviewed. Given the strong interest in AI-driven HR solutions in Iceland, we were confident in reaching our minimum target of 35 participants. However, attendance did not match expectations. Despite the high number of registrations, only 27 participants attended the first session, and even fewer returned for the second. This drop-off is a common issue with free online events, where participants face no real commitment. Workplace demands and competing priorities often lead to high attrition rates, a challenge seen worldwide in virtual learning environments.
For those who attended, the sessions provided valuable insights. The first session introduced the concept of bias, an issue well known to HR professionals in Iceland, but here, framed within the context of AI. Discussions covered the ethical and social implications of AI in management, along with an overview of policy frameworks. This foundation set the stage for the second session, which took a more hands-on approach. This session focused on AI tools in recruitment. Participants tested the Hiring Black Box tool, selecting a candidate from a pool of four and comparing their choices with those made by AI. Interestingly, human selections did not always align with the AI’s decisions, leading to insightful discussions about decision-making processes and biases in both human judgment and AI algorithms.
Arianna Montera and Simona Lo Giudice expertly facilitated the sessions, balancing structured content with interactive elements. However, the online format came with both benefits and drawbacks. While it allowed participants in Iceland to engage in an event led by Italy, some struggled with their environment. Those in shared workspaces couldn’t participate vocally, and others using mobile phones found interactive exercises more difficult.
Despite the challenges of online participation, the event successfully introduced AI’s potential in HR. I look forward to the next event, which will take place in person in Reykjavík this fall.