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Recent Editions
Human Times
North America
The most comprehensive independent study of AI-powered hiring algorithms to date has identified “clear racial disparities” embedded in the tools used to screen millions of job applicants, with Black and Asian candidates disproportionately affected. A Stanford University-led study of 4m job applications submitted by 3m applicants across 156 employers who used the Pymetrics hiring platform, which assesses people through online games designed to measure cognitive traits such as risk tolerance and altruism, found evidence of “systemic rejection.” Northeastern professor and research co-author Kathleen Creel said: “As a single vendor comes to dominate decision-making in a space, their quirks or shortfalls can be present across that entire sector in a way that wasn’t possible before.” Pymetrics’ owner, Harver, did not respond to a request for comment.
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Human Times
UK
BP has removed chair Albert Manifold with immediate effect. The oil firm was reportedly concerned over allegations of "bullying" and "overbearing" behaviour. In a statement, the firm cited "serious concerns" related to "important governance standards, oversight and conduct." Senior independent director Amanda Blanc said BP's board had been "surprised and disappointed" to learn of "issues it deems unacceptable," adding that the firm "has taken decisive action." Senior independent director Ian Tyler has been appointed interim chair. Manifold, who joined BP in September 2025 as a non-executive director, was appointed chair the following month.
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Human Times
Europe
Russia has adopted a law allowing the central bank, the country's biggest bank Sberbank, and the Russian Cash Collection Association - the country’s largest carrier of cash and valuables - to shoot down Ukrainian drones. Employees at those institutions would be permitted to be armed and to operate the systems used to down unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV, or drone) attacks without the involvement of special forces. Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Financial Markets Anatoly Aksakov said: “Firstly, jamming will be used to make it more difficult for [the UAVs] to target and attack the relevant targets . . . Plus, we’ll also use means to shoot down these drones, thereby protecting the relevant targets,” adding that institutions would pay for the drone defence systems themselves. “If it’s the central bank, then the central bank will pay; if it’s Sberbank, then Sberbank will pay,” Aksakov said.
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Human Times
Middle East
The most comprehensive independent study of AI-powered hiring algorithms to date has identified “clear racial disparities” embedded in the tools used to screen millions of job applicants, with Black and Asian candidates disproportionately affected. A Stanford University-led study of 4m job applications submitted by 3m applicants across 156 employers who used the Pymetrics hiring platform, which assesses people through online games designed to measure cognitive traits such as risk tolerance and altruism, found evidence of “systemic rejection.” Northeastern professor and research co-author Kathleen Creel said: “As a single vendor comes to dominate decision-making in a space, their quirks or shortfalls can be present across that entire sector in a way that wasn’t possible before.” Pymetrics’ owner, Harver, did not respond to a request for comment.
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