BS (Hons) Student Studies Humanising Artificial Intelligence for Making Workplaces More Inclusive

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become embedded in organisations' functions, including an increased role in hiring, evaluation, and talent management. But as algorithms start taking the central stage in decision-making processes, can AI truly be fair?

BS (Hons) Class of 2027 student Daksh Ahuja explores this question at the intersection of technology and fairness, whose research investigates how AI, despite its promise of objectivity, can unintentionally reinforce existing social and structural biases. His co-authored paper, A Systematic Literature Review on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in Artificial Intelligence and Human Resource Management, written under the mentorship of Professor Siddhartha Saxena from the Amrut Mody School of Management​​​​​​, tries to crack this puzzle.

Drawing insights from over seventy peer-reviewed studies, the paper identifies five key themes: gender bias, transparency and trust, AI-enabled performance reviews, managerial accountability, and employee perceptions of AI. It proposes a framework that embeds DEI principles into the design and deployment of AI systems, positioning technology not just as a tool of efficiency, but as an active force for creating inclusive workplaces.

The research looks at developing transparent and equitable AI systems that enhance trust and fairness, advocating for technologies that complement human judgment. It also encourages accountability-based organisational cultures, where DEI principles are integrated into leadership practices and technical systems. Furthermore, the study contributes to global policy conversations on AI fairness and ethical governance, offering a behavioural and human-centred model for the future of AI in Human Resource Management.

Conceptualised as part of Ahmedabad University's Undergraduate Research Programme (UGRP)​​​​​​, the paper has been accepted for presentation at PAN IIM 2025, hosted by IIM Ranchi, giving Daksh's work credibility. His work reflects how Ahmedabad University's UGRP nurtures intellectual curiosity, research rigour, and interdisciplinary exploration at the undergraduate level.

"Working on UGRP has been one of the most defining parts of my academic journey," says Daksh. "It expanded my world beyond my core programme, allowing me to collaborate with professors across disciplines, access rich research databases, and explore ideas that bridge technology and ethics. Opportunities like these push students like me to think differently, to go deeper, and to discover new passions they might never have imagined."

Through research like Daksh's, Ahmedabad University inspires students to ask bold questions and pursue meaningful inquiry, preparing them not just to participate in the future but to shape it.