Mr. Kristupas Stankus, Commercial attaché and Mr. Andrius Francas, Partner, Alliance for Recruitment

AI technologies bring about numerous benefits for society and the economy. Most AI systems offer improved efficiency and cost savings, foster innovations, and address complex global challenges. However, AI poses risks like costly implementation, potential human job loss, lack of creativity and emotion, and problems related to cybersecurity.

Creativity and Emotion – Human Resources
Although artificial intelligence is capable of many things, humans can do unique and creative work, and each person has their own strengths. When a company wants to create a new product or service, it is good to gather a group of different experts. This group may include an engineer, an architect, a marketing manager, a data engineer, and a salesperson. They all have a different vision of the future product or service and their own unique idea to accomplish the task. This kind of cooperation allows new perspectives to emerge in their work. This process and creativity cannot be replaced by a machine.
AI is one of the tools people use. Previously, the calculations were performed using a variety of mechanical machines, now the complex calculations are done in excel spreadsheets every day. But when it comes to emotions and real relationships, those are still uniquely human experiences. AI might simulate conversation or empathy, but it lacks the depth of human emotions and connection.

AI and Recruitment
In small countries like Finland and Lithuania, maybe 100 candidates will apply for a job at the same time. Then the use of AI in the processing of applications is not as significant as, for example, in India or China, where there may be 10,000 applicants and 2,000 good applicants should be found among them. The goal is to look for happy and successful candidates who are committed to long-term employment relations. These features can be better found by going through the applications one by one than by trusting AI to do it
Artificial intelligence can be used in job interviews, but people often prefer to interact with another human instead of relying entirely on machines. Many applicants appreciate being interviewed by a real person, as this provides an opportunity for empathy and the formation of an emotional bond. A machine cannot fully replace the interaction and emotions between people. Some may even appreciate small mistakes, as it makes the interaction feel more human, knowing they are dealing with a real person rather than a machine.
If a video interview is used in a job interview, the applicants might use artificial intelligence to assist with their responses. For this reason, in-person interviews are preferable. It’s also a good idea to ask personal questions, such as about one’s career and achievements or a description of the candidate’s boss, where artificial intelligence would not be able to provide direct answers. Young experts may, however, use AI to find responses at work, but later they need to gain more knowledge to differ from the others. Lifelong learning is a must in the future.
Skills on the rise between 2025 and 2030 are, for example, AI and big data, networks and cybersecurity, technological literacy, creative thinking, etc. The gap between job displacement and job creation is significant. To narrow this gap, investment in retraining and reskilling workers is crucial.

Working in Different Communities and Environments
When working in an international environment, the employees need knowledge of cultures and tolerance. Learning and buying from others and having a highly specialized workforce will lead to success compared to working alone in a small community. Helping others to succeed can be a positive message in business as well. The best results are achieved in free and innovative communities.
The EU has tight GDPR regulations, which might hinder using AI. All information is not needed. To recognize a person, a photo of their face would be enough to remind the participants of a successful meeting and an interesting and talented person. If companies try to collect too much information, they might lose possibilities and put themselves in a corner when figuring out permissions. Bureaucracy takes time when business wants to act in the most flexible and fastest way.
Going to work gives employees meaning in their lives and a sense of belonging to a society with achievements, discipline, and performing things together. Work will become more flexible, and people will work remotely. Securing jobs despite the presence of AI should be a priority. Products and services will be cheaper when workers are replaced by machines. At the same time, the population ages, and there are not enough people to support the system. Societies also need money for defense, healthcare, etc., but machines do not pay taxes. This gradually leads to a situation where the taxation of robots will be a necessity.
If AI gives a competitive advantage, use it and think about how to use it, but it is recommended that someone should be in control of AI and remember that despite artificial intelligence, humans must still be able to make their own judgments and decisions on matters.

The article is based on discussions with Mr. Andrius Francas, Partner, Alliance for Recruitment took part in the Forum on Digitalisation, AI and Risk Management in International Trade and gave a presentation on The Impact of AI and Digitalization on the Job Market: A Baltic Perspective. The forum was organized by the Embassy of Lithuania to Finland, Business Finland and the Finland-Lithuania Business Association.

Anne Hatanpää and Kirsi Bäcklund