An Introduction to AI for Recruitment3 min read

September 10, 2018 Industry Insights

Artificial intelligence is transforming the world as we know it. Across every industry, sophisticated AI applications are assisting, augmenting, or ultimately replacing the tools and labor previously required to get work done. For recruiters, advances in AI are set to streamline time-consuming tasks like candidate screening and interview day scheduling, simplifying the administrative process and freeing up calendars to better engage candidates directly. Here’s our guide to what AI for recruitment looks like, as well as some de-mystifications of the differences between artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL).


Despite fears about AI rendering certain jobs unnecessary, studies suggest AI will ultimately create more jobs than it destroys, helping existing employees work with better data and greater efficiency while crafting entirely new categories of work. In HR technology, hiring managers, recruiters and candidates will soon have access to powerful tools that make candidate sourcing and hiring faster and more intelligent thanks to AI, ML and DL.

How, exactly, will this technology transform the HR workflow? And how do you discern the difference between deep learning and machine learning? We’ve put together a collection of answers and predictions to help recruiters get a better grasp on AI.

What is artificial intelligence?

Artificial intelligence, a term coined in the 1950s by computer scientist and professor John McCarthy, is the science and engineering of making intelligent machines, especially intelligent computer programs. AI machines carry out tasks that require the same characteristics of human intelligence, including decision-making, visual and speech recognition and language translation.

AI is broken into two categories:

  • General AI, which accounts for machines that carry out general human-like behavior such as problem-solving or object recognition.
  • Narrow AI, which carries out a particular set of human-like tasks without broader capabilities, like software that primarily focuses on image recognition.  

What is the difference between artificial intelligence, machine learning and deep learning?

Like a set of Russian nesting dolls, machine learning and deep learning are subsets contained within AI: machine learning and deep learning are both types of AI, but AI isn’t necessarily machine learning or deep learning.

What is machine learning?

Machine learning is a method of achieving artificial intelligence. Through complex algorithms, machine learning makes determinations or predictions based on large data sets. Over time, rather than requiring software coders to create specific software instructions to carry out a task, these algorithms learn from their data to continuously improve their capabilities and performance.  

What is deep learning?

Deep learning is a method of machine learning that takes advantage of neural networks — computing systems designed to function like the human brain — to simulate human decision-making. Many popular examples of AI were achieved through deep learning, including DeepMind’s championship-winning AlphaGo and Google Maps StreetView.

How will organizations use AI in recruitment?

Many of a recruiter’s primary tasks involve sifting through large sets of data, like resumes, candidate profiles in recruitment CRM software and the vast amounts of information stored in an ATS. Utilizing this data, AI for recruitment will be able to help recruiters match candidates to jobs through sophisticated algorithms that makes sourcing more intelligent. AI will also help recruiters save through by automating lengthy, repetitive tasks like scheduling a day’s worth of interviews with an entire team.

Yello is making significant investments in the field of AI to help companies hire faster and smarter. AI presents an incredible opportunity for recruiters’ lives to be made simpler and for organizations to reduce their overall cost-to-hire. Our development teams are hard at work implementing AI into our talent acquisition software, and Yello keenly looks forward to the advancements AI for recruitment has to offer.

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