Nearly a third of UK candidates feel “very uncomfortable” with artificial intelligence being used during the recruitment process, with older candidates in particular expressing resistance according to new research.
The data, published by recruitment firm Gi Group UK as part of the The 2025 Candidate Survey, shows growing concerns among candidates about the rise of automation in hiring.
Among those aged 55 to 64, 33.78 percent reported feeling “very uncomfortable” with AI tools in recruitment. Only a small proportion of younger candidates were confident about automation, with just 19.88 percent of 18 to 25 year olds and 7.19 percent of 35 to 54 year olds saying they were “very comfortable”.
In the context of automated CV screening, chatbots and AI-driven assessments, the findings suggest that a significant number of applicants prefer traditional human interaction. Gi Group is urging employers to proceed with caution when integrating AI into recruitment and to ensure candidates receive adequate support throughout the hiring process.
Human interaction remains central to candidate experience
Rebecca Napier, IT Business Partner at Gi Group UK, said the findings reflect a need to maintain authenticity in candidate communication.
“AI is here, and it is here to stay. There is no denying that AI systems have their uses and should certainly be integrated to increase business efficiency, however, the recruitment process needs to remain adaptable.
“Our candidate survey has found that an important proportion of our candidates feel very uncomfortable when approached by Chatbots rather than people. Maintaining authenticity for candidates is an integral element of our role which is why AI should be implemented with caution, especially when it is being used externally.”
Napier added that while AI can offer significant operational benefits across industries, it cannot fully replace the reassurance of personal contact. “Ensuring there is someone at the end of the phone to ease concerns is key,” she said.
Balancing automation and candidate support
Recruiters are increasingly adopting AI to automate stages of the hiring process, using tools such as chatbots to streamline application workflows, reduce bias and generate data insights. However, the Gi Group survey suggests that jobseekers may not be fully comfortable with such changes, particularly when there is limited human involvement.
Commenting on the operational pressure recruiters are facing, Napier said, “AI extensions have hit the recruitment industry from all angles and while data shows candidates value human interactions, the industry has been inundated with CVs that lack appropriate qualifications and role awareness,” Napier said. “With this increase in mind, recruiters are left in a challenging position as they navigate the ever-changing recruitment landscape.
“It’s important that we continue to find new and improved ways to increase productivity and reduce time wasted on admin. However, ensuring we are providing the right support to candidates is vital. We must ask ourselves why candidates are uncomfortable with Chatbot interactions and focus on how we can simultaneously provide the right service but also the most effective for each individual.”
