The HR Technologist covers a lot of great information on big data and AI technology in the HR world. They recently published a great article on the utilization of machine learning and AI in employee background checks.
Author Chiradeep BasuMallick said that an Israeli background check company has used machine learning to make the process much more accurate. He said that the effectiveness rate of these background checks is over 90%, which will continue to rise as machine learning and artificial intelligence algorithms improve.
Machine Learning and AI Lead to Exceptional Background Check Services
Finding information on people is easier these days than ever. You can search through Facebook history from the past fifteen years, trawl through their Instagram posts, and read up on their career on LinkedIn. However, there is still much that the average person cannot find by themselves without a lot of work.
Background check services are capable of completing the process much more efficiently. They are working more effectively than ever, since they are using machine learning and AI to streamline the process. As Inc. points out, a growing number of background check companies are using AI to get the most of it.
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There are a number of reasons that machine learning is making background checks faster and more reliable. David Weinberg, CEO and co-founder of Vervoe, discussed how machine learning is making background checks much faster.
“These new AI algorithms offer a totally unique, multilayered approach, allowing bespoke feedback about the candidates and preferences of each individual employer. The machine-learning prediction also improves each time an employer manually grades a Talent Trial, increasing the accuracy well beyond 83%. Employers are now able to evaluate 10,000 candidates at the same time it takes to evaluate one, allowing for scalable recruitment.”
They are also using machine learning to conduct richer analyses. They use multiple data points to find information on subjects.
For this reason, popular websites for background checks have become increasingly common online. There are many situations in which a bit more information can be very helpful in determining whether we can trust someone. For some people, that might be a first date. For others, it may be purchasing their first house.
How do these online background checks work and what do they tell you? Here’s what you can expect.
Databases
Online background checks work by going through publicly available government records, internet databases, social media history, financial reports, and more. Machine learning tools are more reliable when they have such large data sets to pull from.
All of the information they access is legally available, and technically could be found by anyone looking. However, background checks do it exponentially quicker and are more accurate. They will also organize the information for you in a useful format.
What do they find?
Due to the Freedom of Information Act, certain information is publicly available. This includes criminal records, the sex offender registry, credit history, bankruptcies, and homeland security records. All of this information is available for public safety reasons.
Furthermore, they will provide information on a person’s address, traffic court appearances, taxes, employment history, and outstanding warrants. Some background checks even provide info from the dark web. Thus, if the person is doing anything shady on the dark web, there is still a chance you can find this information.
What do they require from you?
The best background checks don’t require all that much from you. You need to provide the person’s basic details, of course, but not much else. It is the job of the background check service to do all the legwork for you. Machine learning tools have made the services even more user friendly these days.
They will require payment, usually in the form of a monthly subscription. If you’re only interested in using the service once off, it’s not going to be much of a financial burden.
When should you use a background check?
There are a number of cases in which you would want to use a background check. Some of these instances are clearer cut than others. For example, if you are buying something on Craigslist, you can try finding information on the person before trusting that they will keep their word.
In other instances, you may have to measure up the importance of privacy against the added security. If you are going on a date with someone who you met online, it may be prudent to find as much information on them as possible. If they are on the sex offender registry, for example, you will want to steer clear. However, the possibility of having to explain to someone who becomes your partner that you neglected their privacy might well put you off the idea altogether.
Background checks are available to use at your discretion. Everything they find is legally accessible and is sometimes necessary. How far you take it is, however, entirely up to you.
Machine Learning is Making Background Checks Better than Ever
Machine learning technology is making a lot of progress in the field of background checks. They can complete the process faster and more reliably than ever, due to advances in AI.