I wonder if you are confusing an ATS with an AI system.

The use of an ATS is used differently, in my opinion, according to whether it's being used by an emp[oyer or by a recruiter.

We see ATS as being a tool for tracking an applicant's progress through the hiring (or not) process.

As a recruiting firm we use the ATS to keep the candidates' data, to know where and when we've submitted the candidate, feedback from the client, who the recruiter is handling both the client and the candidate, and more. We can, of course, use it as what we think of as a rudimentary AI system whereby we can match certain words in the candidate's information to the requirements of the job(s). As for emotional intelligence, if the recruiter does their job properly and knows how to interview candidates, some of that can be captured in the notes section of the ATS.

We use clients' ATS systems to submit candidates and those usually include an area where we can type in any notes, but will that give the client the candidate's EQ? Probably not, but again, if we recruiters do a proper interview, and know how to write, we can give the hiring client some information that isn't shown in the resume.

How, though, could any system really track EQ. Tests - maybe; personality profiles - maybe; human interaction (i.e., doing a proper interview and knowing the right questions to ask) - probably; but no system is perfect. So, who do we trust? The machines or the humans?

The ATS system is usually just used to track the interview process/progress of a candidate. If you are looking to administer something to help determine if they would be a fit based on emotional intelligence and other skills, an ATS system is not the way to go. I have given written tests and even had role plays to help determine if the candidate would be a good fit. There's many tests out there that can help you, but at the end of the day, all of the testing will never really tell you how the candidate/employee will fit in until the hire is made. Testing and emotional intelligence testing will give you the correct fit based on answers, however, it will always fall back on the work ethic.