26th May 2025
“Can AI-driven recruitment ever be truly fair?”
To answer this, we must begin by asking the right questions.
Last week, Farplas Automotive hosted Türkiye’s first Capacity Building Workshop under the BIAS Project. The event was expertly moderated by our project partner Smart Venice and generously supported by Fark Labs as venue partner. It brought together HR professionals from a range of sectors committed to ethical responsibility, to explore how artificial intelligence is shaping recruitment practices and how we can design more inclusive, human-centred technologies.
📌 Objectives and Scope of the Workshop
The primary aim of the event was to raise awareness of how bias manifests in recruitment, how AI tools operate within these systems, and why ethical, inclusive thinking must underpin digital innovation. The sessions explored topics such as:
The psychological and sociological roots of workplace bias
How AI recruitment tools function and the data they rely on
What AI can improve in HR, and what it still fails to address
The limitations of current “AI fairness” frameworks and the challenges of debiasing
The concept of automation bias and the risks of over-reliance on algorithmic decision-making
🔍 Simulation: A Real-World Evaluation Experience
A highlight of the workshop was a hands-on simulation where participants were divided into small groups to evaluate job applications for a fictional role. While some teams adhered strictly to the written job description, others applied more interpretive approaches and made judgement calls based on perceived fit.
This diversity in evaluation styles was both telling and expected—it showed clearly that there is no single “ideal candidate”. The exercise demonstrated that with the right questions, transparent criteria, and a strong awareness of our own biases, AI can help uncover overlooked talent, encourage critical reflection, and even serve as a mirror to human reasoning.
💡 Project Impact: A Step Towards Conscious Change
The workshop marked a key step in fostering awareness and inspiring institutional change. AI integration in HR is not just about increasing efficiency—it’s fundamentally about fairness, equity, and responsibility. Events like this do more than inform; they prompt a shift in mindset.
Beyond the formal sessions, the workshop provided a dynamic environment for participants to share experiences, industry insights, behavioural perspectives, and practical AI applications in recruitment. This exchange helped to build a shared sense of purpose and revealed a growing momentum in the Turkish market. Both major corporations and emerging innovators expressed a strong interest in fair and responsible AI adoption, confirming that the BIAS Project is responding to a real and urgent need.
The diversity of perspectives shared throughout the day made it evident that this is not just an emerging topic—it is one of high local relevance, competitive interest, and considerable potential. As AI tools for recruitment continue to evolve, Türkiye is increasingly positioned to lead with thoughtful, human-centred innovation.
🤝 With Gratitude
We extend our sincere thanks to our partner Smart Venice for their outstanding contribution and facilitation. A special thank you goes to Arianna Montera and Simona Lo Giudice, whose coordination, insight, and energy brought richness and depth to the entire experience.
At Farplas, we also appreciate LOBA’s continued support—both for this event and more broadly across the BIAS Project.
