Ecce Homo in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: the impact on organisational change and algorithmic discrimination in HR

The paper explores some of the ethical, social and regulatory implications that arise as a result of the use of AI systems in organisational contexts and, in particular, in the human resources sector. Starting from the concept (at first religious, then philosophical and finally cultural/social) of Ecce Homo, it analyses the condition of the human being in the Age of Increasing Automation, also with the intention of shedding light on the danger that AI may not only redefine human identity, but also reduce the role of the individual (whatever the ontological nature of his - perhaps redefined - identity) to a mere spectator or, worse, a tool for data exploitation. The contribution focuses on the organisational impact of AI, with a focus on the transformation of workflows and robotic process automation (RPA), as well as the potential for decision-making optimisation through data-driven practices. Equally, ethical challenges such as human responsibility in algorithmic decision-making and the need to avoid discrimination are acknowledged, which naturally emerge as issues destined to have a significant impact in legal reality. The paper closes with an exposition of regulatory and non-regulatory solutions to counter the risks arising from the adoption of AI in organisations, promoting algorithmic audits, human-in-the-loop control and transparency in automated decisions. In conclusion, the authors emphasise the urgency of espousing a balanced cultural approach as soon as possible, i.e. one that is capable of harmonising technological innovation, respect for fundamental rights and social justice, highlighting the crucial role of European regulation in mitigating the criticalities of AI.