ETHICAL CONCERNS OF USING AI IN HR IN THE DEFENSE AND AVIATION SECTORS IN TÜRKİYE

Abstract

At a moment when machines are deciding things about people, the question is no longer whether AI can optimize HR, but whether it can do so ethically, fairly, and in ways that preserve human dignity in environments like Türkiye's sensitive defense and aviation sectors. This thesis is an exploration of the ethical governance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Human Resource Management (HRM) with specific reference to the defense and aviation sectors of Türkiye, two data-sensitive industries with national security imperatives amidst international digitalization pressures. In the face of growing international interest in AI ethics in HR, much of the literature still remains Western-centric, leaving a critical knowledge gap regarding how emerging economies like Türkiye balance ethical pitfalls in AI-driven HR practices. The thesis answers the question ‘How are HR professionals managing ethical concerns of using AI in HR practices in Türkiye?’ The study adopts a qualitative methodology, founded upon semi-structured interviews with eight HR practitioners from seven organizations. Thematic analysis, through Braun and Clarke's six-stage process, was employed to identify prevalent patterns and ethical quandaries. The research is founded upon utilitarian ethical theory, which evaluates actions based on their effect on general well-being, a fitting prism through which to consider AI's complex efficiency-fairness trade-offs. Findings reveal five themes that are interconnected: (1) Artificial Intelligence Usage Patterns (2) Ethical Concerns and Perceptions like algorithmic bias and lack of transparency of decision systems, (3) Regulatory and Cultural Influences Specific to Türkiye, (4) Ethical Management Strategies and Employee Engagement, and (5) Balance Between Ethics and Efficiency. Participants strongly advocated for hybrid systems where AI augments, but does not replace, human judgment. The study contends that ethical AI integration in Türkiye requires culturally sensitive governance structures, technical PDPL adherence, and organizational arrangements such as AI audit boards. These not only control risk but also convey a utilitarian imperative as promoting social good in order to uphold human dignity. The study contributes to a more inclusive global AI ethics debate through its prioritization of local voices and the proposal of actionable measures to support ethical AI use in emerging contexts.