Artificial intelligence is moving from the margins to the mainstream of recruitment. According to HireVue’s 2025 Global AI in Hiring Report, 72 per cent of HR professionals now use AI in their processes, up from 58 per cent in 2024. Confidence in the technology has also grown, with 51 per cent trusting AI as a support tool for decision-making, compared with 37 per cent a year earlier.

HR leaders say AI boosts productivity by automating resume screening, candidate communication and training. This frees staff to focus on higher-value work such as strategic planning and personal engagement. While machines handle repetitive tasks, final hiring choices remain firmly human.

A major shift is the move towards validated skills assessments. Traditional reliance on resumes is proving unreliable—72 per cent of talent leaders say they distrust self-reported skills. The rise of AI-written resumes and cover letters has deepened concerns, making practical tests such as job simulations increasingly valuable. Firms using validated assessments report striking benefits: a 68 per cent improvement in hire quality, a 62 per cent reduction in bias and a 74 per cent rise in hiring manager satisfaction. Unlike resumes, assessments show how candidates apply knowledge in real-world contexts, helping employers judge long-term potential.

Global companies including Johnson & Johnson and DHL are using AI-driven assessments and training to understand and develop their workforces. These tools support internal mobility and continuous learning, helping organisations adapt to evolving skill demands.

Yet the spread of AI has sparked an “arms race” as job seekers deploy the same tools to write resumes, prepare for interviews and even try to outsmart assessments. This has raised concerns about fairness and prompted some firms to reintroduce human oversight earlier in the hiring process.

Despite challenges, the outlook is optimistic. “This shift will enable companies to build more equitable, effective hiring strategies while giving people greater chances to grow and succeed in their careers,” said Dr Lindsey Zuloaga, Chief Data Scientist at HireVue.

The integration of AI in UK recruitment reflects broader ambitions to lead in responsible innovation. Combining technology with human judgement and ethical oversight, employers can build more diverse, dynamic teams—an approach that could set a benchmark for the future of work.

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