Researchers at the University of Glasgow have developed an artificial intelligence system that can assess a person’s likelihood of career success based on a single photo. The algorithm analyses facial expressions and features to predict how likely a person is to make career progress.
The study was based on a popular personality model that consists of five main characteristics: openness, honesty, extraversion, benevolence and neuroticism. It measures a person’s propensity for new experiences, discipline, sociability, empathy and level of emotional stability.
These parameters help to determine the extent to which a person is willing to learn, orderly in business, active in socialising, sensitive to others and resilient to stress. The study revealed a link between personality traits and professional or academic achievement. For example, emotionally unstable people are less likely to have well-paid jobs, while a lack of organisation and discipline reduces the chances of getting into top schools. Kelly Shue, a professor at the Yale School of Management, believes that a person’s character has a significant impact on their professional development.
Knowing one’s personality traits can predict one’s future career success with high probability. However, she also warns of possible ethical implications: the use of artificial intelligence to analyse individuals for selection in companies or educational institutions could lead to discrimination in the assessment of candidates.
