Nearly two-thirds of U.S. job seekers would consider avoiding companies that heavily rely on artificial intelligence during the hiring process, according to new research highlighting tensions between technological efficiency and human connection in recruitment.
The Express Employment Professionals survey conducted by Harris Poll found that 62% of job applicants might skip applying to organizations they perceive as overly dependent on AI tools during recruitment.
“AI is undeniably a powerful tool, but its role should be to complement human judgment, not replace it,” said Bill Stoller, CEO of Express Employment International.
Despite widespread acknowledgment of AI’s growing role in business, job seekers expressed strong preferences for human involvement throughout the hiring process. The survey revealed 87% believe meeting with a human interviewer is important for properly assessing soft skills like cultural fit and attitude.
Additionally, 84% of respondents prefer human review of their resumes and cover letters, with an equal percentage favoring human-conducted initial interviews.
Gender differences in AI acceptance
The research uncovered significant gender disparities in attitudes toward AI in job searches. Female job seekers showed more hesitation about generative AI’s role in recruitment than their male counterparts.
Women were less likely to consider it appropriate for candidates to use AI when drafting resumes, writing outreach responses, creating work samples, or completing online assessments. More than 40% of female job seekers reported never using generative AI during their job search, compared to 27% of males.
Companies embracing AI despite candidate concerns
The survey indicates a widening gap between job seeker preferences and employer practices. Two-thirds of hiring managers reported their companies already use generative AI, with 48% implementing automation and AI as alternatives to filling open positions.
Looking ahead, 54% of companies plan aggressive AI adoption if they encounter hiring difficulties over the next five years. More concerning for job seekers, 43% of companies intend to replace a significant portion of their workforce with automation or AI during that same period.
Hiring managers see substantial benefits from AI implementation, with majorities reporting positive impacts on customer service (64%), process efficiency (62%), and addressing skills gaps (60%).
Finding balance
The challenge for employers lies in harnessing AI’s efficiency without sacrificing the human elements candidates value. While 83% of hiring managers recognize AI’s benefits, 68% believe the risks outweigh rewards without maintaining human involvement.
Nearly nine in ten hiring managers (89%) emphasized that human participation remains essential for accurately assessing candidates’ soft skills.
The Job Insights survey included 1,001 U.S. hiring decision-makers polled in November 2024, while the Job Seeker Report surveyed 1,039 adults during November-December 2024.
