The role of AI in human resources (HR) is no longer a matter of experimentation – it has become an operational necessity, according to new data from skills-based hiring platform, HireVue.

The firms Global AI in Hiring Report highlights a sharp increase in AI adoption, trust, and productivity within HR, marking a transformative shift in how businesses manage talent acquisition, training, and candidate engagement.

The Rise of AI Adoption in HR

According to the report, AI has become deeply embedded in HR operations, with weekly usage increasing from 58% in 2024 to 72% in 2025.

ChatGPT and chatbot technologies have played a crucial role in this transformation, with 61% of HR professionals now using ChatGPT at work and 43% relying on chatbots.

The growing confidence in AI systems reflects this trend, with trust levels rising from 37% in 2024 to 51% in 2025. Even AI-driven candidate recommendations, once met with scepticism, are gaining traction – trust in these recommendations jumped from 39% to 53% over the past year.

At the same time, HR professionals are increasingly leveraging AI to streamline recruitment and training processes.

AI is being used extensively in CV screening, training and development, candidate communication, recruitment processes, candidate screening, and assessments, according to HireVue.

These applications demonstrate AI’s ability to reduce manual workloads, allowing HR teams to focus on strategic initiatives such as relationship-building with candidates. More significantly, AI is evolving beyond basic assistance into an active workforce partner. The emergence of agentic AI is automating complex workflows, moving beyond simple tasks like email summarisation and interview scheduling.

Businesses are now embracing this shift to drive efficiency, automation, and innovation, while job seekers are also relying on AI to navigate the hiring process, using it to update CVs, write cover letters, prepare for interviews, and research prospective employers.

Trust and Concerns Around AI in Hiring

While it seems that HR professionals trust AI more than ever, employees remain cautious about its role in hiring.

Although AI is widely accepted for tasks like job searches and interview preparation, 66% of workers remain opposed to AI making final hiring decisions. However, this figure has dropped by 10% from last year, so perception is changing over time.

Beyond this, employees are divided on AI’s involvement in application reviews, according to the report, with 43% in favour of AI reviewing job applications, while 41% still oppose it.

Concerns about AI in the workplace remain largely unchanged, with misinformation, job loss, and security risks being the most pressing issues.

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The expansion of AI in hiring also brings attention to security risks, particularly in industries where data breaches are costly. Businesses are now working more closely with legal, PR, and data protection teams to mitigate these risks and ensure responsible AI implementation.

Dr. Lindsey Zuloaga, chief data scientist at HireVue, commented: “AI is transforming hiring, but trust depends on transparency. Employees are increasingly comfortable using AI in job applications, yet concerns remain about its role in decision-making. HR teams must strike the right balance – ensuring clear policies, communication, and oversight so AI enhances rather than replaces fair hiring practices.

“Without clear corporate guidelines, businesses risk missing out on AI’s full benefits. Employers must ensure policies are up to date so HR teams can unlock efficiencies, improve decision-making, and build trust with candidates and employees alike.”