Aquent interview questions

Applied online, next day got an email from the recruiter 'Beverly' wanting to set up some time to discuss the role and my qualifications. I emailed her back with my availability (I could chat the next morning), but then I never heard back. That night I got an email questioner asking for more info about my background with some AI generated questions. I answered each one, and submitted. Never got to talk to anyone in person, Beverly never followed up. I am now getting emails saying that I was NOT in their short list. I never got to talk with anyone, and I know my qualifications matched. What gets me, this is for a 1 month temp role. And they wanted this person to start last Monday according to the job description. Why such a drawn out process for a very short role. I have since received 2 automated emails, saying that the hiring manager is reviewing the short list. The 1st email said there was 183 candidates. Then the one that came today said 305 candidates. Why are you still in-taking applications if you already have a short list? Seems like you're just resume harvesting.