When recruiters use AI to search and evaluate CVs, there’s an important question behind the software: where does the candidate data actually go? With cloud AI, CVs are sent to remote servers for processing. With on-device AI, the AI runs directly on the recruiter's device. That difference can have important implications for privacy, data sovereignty and data residency.
What Happens With Cloud AI?
Most AI recruiting tools rely on cloud processing. A CV is uploaded, sent to a server, processed and then returned as a result. This isn't automatically unsafe. Well-managed cloud systems can have strong security and GDPR safeguards. But it means candidate data may pass through multiple systems, vendors or even countries.
That creates questions around who processes the data, where it's stored and whether a cross border data transfer is involved.
What Is On-Device AI?
- On-device AI works differently. Instead of sending candidate information to a remote server, the AI model runs directly on the device.
- This is sometimes called edge AI. An on-device LLM or private LLM can process information locally without relying on a cloud AI service for every task.
- For recruitment, that means a CV can be analysed without sending it to an external AI server.
- This can support data protection by design by reducing unnecessary movement of personal information.
- It doesn't automatically make software GDPR compliant, but it can remove some external processing and data-transfer considerations from the workflow.
Why Does This Matter for Recruitment?
Candidate CVs contain personal information, from contact details and employment history to education and other information candidates choose to include.
With cloud AI, recruiters need to consider the wider processing chain. With on-device AI, the AI processing itself stays on the recruiter's device.
That can give recruiters greater control over data sovereignty and data residency, while reducing the need to send candidate information to external infrastructure.
The distinction is particularly useful when evaluating an applicant tracking system GDPR approach or broader GDPR compliance HR requirements.
Privacy still depends on the entire product and how the organization handles personal data. The architecture is only one part of the picture.
But does recruitment software really need cloud data storage in the first place? We explore that question in Does Recruitment Software Really Need Cloud Data Storage
Where Does EdgeTal Fit?
EdgeTal is built around on-device AI.
The AI model runs directly on the recruiter's phone, so candidate CVs don't need to be sent to a cloud server for AI processing. Recruiters can import resumes from a CSV, URL or files already stored on their device. Once the AI model has been downloaded, EdgeTal can also work offline.
Its private LLM powers semantic search locally, helping recruiters find candidates based on the meaning behind their experience rather than relying only on exact keywords.
The result is a recruitment workflow where the AI processing happens on the device instead of sending candidate data elsewhere.
Cloud AI vs. On-Device AI
The difference is fairly simple:
Cloud AI: candidate data is sent to remote infrastructure for AI processing.
On-device AI: AI processing happens directly on the recruiter's device.
Neither approach automatically solves every privacy or security requirement. But for recruiters handling sensitive candidate information, knowing where the AI runs is an important part of understanding how their data is being handled.
On-device AI isn't just a technical choice. It can be a different approach to candidate data and recruitment privacy.
Conclusion
The choice between cloud AI and on-device AI affects more than how an AI tool works. It also affects where candidate data is processed and how much control recruiters have over it. On-device AI doesn't automatically make recruitment software GDPR compliant, but it can reduce unnecessary data transfers and external processing.
For EdgeTal, the approach is simple: keep AI processing on the recruiter's device and give recruiters more control over their candidate data.
FAQs
What is the difference between cloud AI and on-device AI?
Cloud AI processes data on remote servers, while on-device AI processes data directly on the user's device.
Is on-device AI more private for recruitment?
On-device AI can reduce external processing and data transfers because candidate information does not need to be sent to a cloud AI server.
Does EdgeTal use on-device AI?
Yes. EdgeTal runs its AI model directly on the recruiter's phone, allowing candidate CVs to be processed on the device.
Can EdgeTal work offline?
Yes. Once the AI model has been downloaded, EdgeTal can process candidate information and perform its AI features offline.