At Alva, Machine Learning (ML) is a tool we use to help make our psychometric tests increasingly effective in measuring the traits, abilities, and skills of candidates who take our assessments. ML is a technique that allows systems to solve problems and predict outcomes without being explicitly instructed to do so.
Machine Learning as a Framework for Test Development:
We take candidates’ responses and use our machine-learning models to identify trends in how people answer test questions. For example, suppose there’s a noticeable difference in how people with high and low levels of extroversion answer a specific question in our personality test. In that case, we can use our models to pick up on this trend and determine how well the question measures levels of extroversion. Analyses of these trends, powered by our ML models, allow our psychometricians to adjust (or remove) test questions as needed so that we can accurately and fairly assess traits and skills in candidates.
Machine Learning Methods
Item Response Theory (IRT):
IRT is the family of statistical models that we use to determine how effective each test question is in measuring specific abilities and traits. For example, it helps us understand which questions in our logic tests are too easy or too hard, and which ones are just right for assessing candidates’ logical capabilities.
Bayesian Inference:
We also use a statistical method called Bayesian Inference, implemented in tools like NumPyro, to fine-tune our tests. It helps us make well-informed predictions about the difficulty, validity, and reliability of our test questions. Additionally, this machine learning method allows us to ensure that our tests remain relevant for a diverse user base and provides many methodological advantages over other statistical approaches.
What Does Alva Do to Ensure Safe AI?
Alva takes proactive measures to ensure that our use of AI and ML not only meets but exceeds industry standards for data protection and ethical practice. Our GDPR compliance demonstrates our dedication to protecting user data and privacy, and our certifications in ISO 27001 and DNV (for both the logic and personality tests) reflect our robust approach to information security and responsible AI practices. Alva has also established an AI Management System based on the ISO 42001 framework and continuously remediates risks related to AI to ensure our product and operations sufficiently protect the interests of individuals and society.
These commitments enable us to responsibly harness the power of AI and ML, providing our customers with the assurance that their data is handled with the utmost care and integrity.
Questions or Concerns?
If you have any questions about Alva’s use of AI or feel that you have been negatively impacted by our tests, please reach out to support@alvalabs.io or ai@alvalabs.io.
You can also learn more about how AI is used for our psychometric tests in our technical manuals: