Do you think automated hiring processes filter out potential candidates who could successfully perform the job, but don’t fit the exact criteria in the job description (e.g., lacks professional experience)?

Any process, automated or performed by a human being, has the potential to screen out candidates that might actually fit the role.  Take, for example, the OFCCP guideline for randomization if a recruiter determines that they have too many resumes/CVs to review.  Maybe they only view the first 50, or maybe only every 5th one.  Even this action, with zero bias, will possibly eliminate candidates who do fit. Even if the recruiter does review the resume/CV, there is still a likelihood that s/he/they will eliminate someone who isn't exact.  I don't think AI is any more likely to do it.

the industry is DEFINITELY going towards automation and leveraging Artificial Intelligence throughout the hiring process. 

So while the issue of "false negatives" where the Auto Process filters OUT a possibly strong candidate will certainly occur, I can guarantee you that automation is here to stay - so it's up to leveraging Ai in order to "recover" those false negatives. 

It is also up to the Automation Team to find those over time and fix your system. Without automation, you will bring consistency and uniformity to the Hiring Process which is critical to any good recruiting platform.