Ethical Artificial Intelligence in Recruitment: The Influence of Fairness, Accountability, and Transparency on Applicant Trust

Abstract

The increasing adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in recruitment has transformed traditional hiring practices by improving efficiency, reducing recruitment time, and supporting data-driven decision-making. Despite these advantages, concerns regarding fairness, accountability, and transparency in AI-enabled recruitment systems have raised important ethical questions, particularly in relation to applicant trust. Trust is a critical determinant of applicants' willingness to engage with AI-assisted hiring processes and influences their perceptions of organizational credibility and procedural justice. However, empirical evidence on how ethical AI principles shape applicant trust remains limited. This study examines the influence of the three core ethical AI principles—fairness, accountability, and transparency—on applicant trust in AI-enabled recruitment. A quantitative research design was adopted, and data were collected through a structured questionnaire administered to job applicants with awareness or experience of AI-based recruitment systems. The study employs correlation analysis to examine the relationships among the variables, multiple regression analysis to assess the predictive influence of fairness, accountability, and transparency on applicant trust, and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) to determine whether applicant trust differs across industry sectors and levels of prior exposure to AI-driven recruitment technologies. The findings are expected to demonstrate that perceptions of fairness, accountability, and transparency positively influence applicant trust, with fairness anticipated to emerge as the strongest predictor. The study contributes to the growing literature on ethical AI in human resource management by providing empirical evidence on the factors that foster trust in AI-enabled recruitment. The findings also offer practical guidance for organizations seeking to implement AI-based hiring systems that are not only efficient but also ethical, transparent, and trusted by applicants. Ultimately, the research highlights the importance of integrating ethical principles into AI-driven recruitment to enhance candidate experience, strengthen employer credibility, and promote responsible adoption of AI technologies in human resource management. Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Ethical AI, AI-enabled Recruitment, Fairness, Accountability, Transparency, Applicant Trust, Human Resource Management.