CEO Refuses AI Resume Screening: Here’s Why

Matt Calkins, CEO of enterprise software company Appian, is challenging a widespread hiring practice: using artificial intelligence to screen resumes. Despite 99% of Fortune 500 companies utilizing automation in their hiring processes, Calkins refuses to adopt this technology, arguing it fundamentally fails to evaluate candidates fairly.

The Problem with Algorithmic Hiring

According to Calkins, AI screening systems can’t “spot the magic in people.” By reducing the hiring process to checkbox verification, companies risk overlooking exceptional candidates whose unique strengths don’t align with rigid algorithmic criteria. These systems may inadvertently filter out talented individuals whose qualifications fall outside conventional patterns, ultimately limiting diversity and innovation in the workforce.

Industry Trends vs. Human Judgment

Major tech firms including Google and Salesforce have integrated AI at various stages of their hiring workflows, betting that automation improves efficiency and reduces bias. However, Calkins believes this approach sacrifices quality for speed. His stance highlights a growing debate within corporate leadership about whether AI enhances or diminishes talent acquisition.

The Appian CEO’s position suggests that some companies are reconsidering their over-reliance on automated screening. While AI tools excel at processing volume, they lack the nuanced judgment required to identify candidates with unconventional backgrounds or emerging skills that might prove invaluable. By maintaining human-centric resume review, Appian prioritizes potential and adaptability over algorithmic precision.

As hiring practices continue evolving, Calkins’ perspective offers an important counterpoint to the automation trend, reminding companies that exceptional talent sometimes exists beyond what algorithms can detect.