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The promise was a more fair, efficient, and democratic hiring process. So why are ageism, gender bias, and racial inequality in the pipeline actually getting worse?

In this episode of The Human Code, Don Finley sits down with Shana Pederson — legal tech veteran, recruiter, and Fellow at For Humanity — to unpack what's really going wrong at the intersection of AI and hiring. They dig into the dead internet theory and its eerie parallel to today's job market, why the "human in the loop" is in the wrong place, and who gets left behind when the hiring process becomes a game only tech-savvy candidates can win.

Shana also shares hard-won practical advice for job seekers navigating this challenging landscape — including the one thing that's still working no matter how broken the tools are.

Table of Contents:

Introduction & Shana's Background — 0:00 Don welcomes Shana and she shares how her decades as a recruiter, combined with her work as a Fellow at For Humanity, shaped her interest in the ethics of AI and hiring.

Is AI a Net Benefit in Recruiting Right Now? — 2:25 Shana breaks down the original promise of AI as the "democratizer" of staffing, and why the reality has fallen short — largely because these tools were built on human data, complete with human bias.

The Dead Internet Theory Meets the Job Market — 6:39 Don introduces the dead internet theory — the idea that bots now outnumber real humans online — and Shana explains how that same dynamic has infected the hiring pipeline with ghost jobs, automated applications, and bot noise.

Who Gets Left Behind: The Socioeconomic Divide — 9:58 Playing the modern job search game requires tools, time, and tech skills. Shana warns that this creates a steep and largely invisible barrier for anyone who isn't senior-level, tech-adjacent, or financially able to pay for AI tools.

Your Network Is Still Your Net Worth — 12:49 Despite all the noise, 98% of the people Shana speaks with are finding jobs through their personal networks. Don and Shana explore why human relationships remain the most reliable path through a broken system.

The Gamification of Hiring & What It Costs Everyone — 16:47 When the process rewards game-players over great employees, everyone loses — candidates, hiring managers, and companies alike. Shana also discusses the impact on people with disabilities and neurodivergent job seekers.

Cognitive Bias, Emotional Intelligence & Building Better Tools — 22:26 The conversation turns to multi-stakeholder feedback, why we can't eliminate bias (but can recognize and mitigate it), and the very human challenge of hearing that your "baby" has flaws.

Practical Tips for Job Seekers Today — 27:48 Shana's top advice: lean into continuous learning (MIT's full catalog just went free), volunteer in your community, and don't be afraid to ask your network for help. She also offers a compassionate take on AI resistance and how to ease into it on your own terms.

Closing & For Humanity — 32:16 Shana shares how listeners can get involved with For Humanity — a global community working to build ethical, human-centered AI audit criteria.

Sponsored by FINdustries
Hosted by Don Finley