Unfolding the Eightfold Lawsuit

Is the "black box" of AI hiring finally being pried open? In this episode of The Chad & Cheese Podcast, hosts Joel Cheesman and Chad Sowash sit down with Rachel Dempsey of Towards Justice to dissect a landmark class-action lawsuit against Eightfold AI. Filed in early 2026, the suit alleges that the platform creates secret "consumer reports" on job seekers—scoring everything from personality to performance potential without the applicant’s knowledge or consent. From the personal struggles of barred candidates to the legal muscle of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), we explore why there is no "AI exemption" for transparency and how this case could fundamentally redefine worker rights in the age of algorithmic recruitment. Think you know why you didn't get that last job? The truth might be hidden in a data profile you never authorized. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction to Rachel Dempsey and Towards Justice 02:59 - Understanding the Eightfold Case and AI Hiring Practices 06:10 - The Fair Credit Reporting Act Explained 08:58 - The Implications of AI in Hiring and Data Privacy 11:59 - Class Action Lawsuit Dynamics and Its Importance 16:03 - Legal Precedents and Future Implications 20:04 - Employer Responsibilities and Risks in AI Hiring 24:01 - The Role of LinkedIn and Other Platforms in Hiring 27:54 - Conclusion and How to Reach Towards Justice