Four Years of Failed Job Applications: Woman Sues AI Recruiting Firm Eightfold AI

Erin Kistler, a product manager with nearly 20 years of experience, has filed a class-action lawsuit against Eightfold AI, a Silicon Valley-based recruiting software company. Kistler claims that for four years she applied to thousands of positions at companies including PayPal, Microsoft, and Netflix, but never received any response or interview invitation. She believes she was qualified for every role. The lawsuit, filed in January in a California court, argues that automated screening systems function like undisclosed consumer reports, potentially violating laws. Eightfold AI's software is used by hundreds of companies, including those Kistler applied to. The case highlights the growing role of AI in hiring decisions across the United States, where nearly all major firms now use some form of AI to filter applications. Kistler's experience raises concerns about the transparency and fairness of AI-driven recruitment processes, as millions of applications may be discarded without human review.