AI will streamline city hiring under Eric Adams' plan.
Mayor Eric Adams has expressed concerns about the slow pace of hiring in New York City government, with over 18,000 vacancies in full-time positions as of the end of August. In a bid to streamline the process, Adams plans to standardize applications across city agencies and use automation and artificial intelligence (AI) to shorten the timeline by 75%.
At a recent event in a Brooklyn senior center, a woman shared her grandson's struggle to find work in his field. In response, Adams encouraged the young man to consider public sector jobs, with 11,000 available city jobs on offer.
The use of AI and automation in city hiring, if implemented, could potentially bring about significant improvements. Current applications of these technologies in recruitment for New York City municipal services include individualising job profiles, flexible personnel management, and technology-driven personnel selection to tailor positions to specific competency requirements and improve candidate matching.
However, the status of AI and automation use in city hiring remains undisclosed. City Hall did not confirm if these technologies are currently being used, and Adams has not directly acknowledged the role of the Office of Management and Budget in the city's slow hiring pace. Adams did not address the allegation that the Office of Management and Budget hinders the hiring process, and its role in the city's hiring process remains unclear.
The Keystone state (Pennsylvania) has already turned to generative AI tools to shorten its own public sector hiring timeline, as reported in May. Adams is also considering the use of AI hiring tools in the public sector, with his chief technology officer tasked with finding ways to streamline the hiring process using technology and AI.
Adams has agreed with complaints that the hiring pace is lethargic and expressed a desire to shorten the process. However, it can take months for the city to hire new employees, and it remains unclear if the efforts to standardize applications and use AI in hiring are already underway.
Despite the ongoing debate, Adams has made it clear that he views the Office of Management and Budget as separate from his role as mayor. His response suggests that he is taking active steps to address the city's hiring challenges and bring about a more efficient process for both job seekers and the city government.
