8 in 10 recruiters say they use AI during the hiring process

Artificial intelligence is no longer a new experiment in employment. It is now firmly entrenched in the hiring process.

Of the 1,000 national recruiters surveyed in Resume Genius’ 2026 Recruiting Insights Report, 79% said their companies use AI at some point in hiring or recruiting.

Although AI tools are widely used, data shows that they primarily support administrative and early-stage tasks rather than replacing human decision-making.

AI utilization is concentrated in the management stage

Nearly 8 in 10 recruiters say their companies use AI as part of their recruiting or hiring process, and the report asks how they use the technology.

• 35% review or rank resumes or applications;
• 33% schedule interviews or manage logistics;
• 32% are potential sources.
• 31% write job descriptions or job advertisements;
• 28% communicated with candidates (e.g., outreach, follow-up, Q&A);
• 23% conduct pre-screening interviews (e.g. automated phone screening, AI video interviewing).
• 21% use AI to write interview questions, take notes, and summarize candidate information.
• 21% create or grade skills tests and assessments.

In some workflows, AI is limited in the actions it can perform. For example, 13% of recruiters say AI can automatically send messages or advance candidates based on predefined criteria.

AI is a decision supporter, not a decision maker

Most recruiters still only use AI to support decision-making, and they still have the final say.

• 32% say AI recommends and ranks candidates, but humans still make all final hiring decisions.
• 22% say AI is only used for administrative support.
• 19% say AI uses rules set by humans to screen some candidates.

Only a minority of hiring managers report that human supervision is minimal. Six percent say AI can advance or reject candidates with limited human review.

Eva Chan, career expert at Resume Genius, says the fact that nearly 80% of recruiters are using AI shows that recruiting is permanently changing. AI is now being integrated into the first stage of the process, from screening resumes to organizing interviews.

“The biggest mistake job seekers can make today is assuming a human will read their resume first,” she says. “In many cases, AI can help decide who moves on next. This means your resume should clearly match the job posting, especially your skills and experience. If your keywords and qualifications are easy to find, you’re more likely to make it past the first filter.”

methodology

The 2026 Recruiting Insights Report is based on a survey of 1,000 U.S. hiring managers conducted by Pollfish to ensure a diverse and demographically balanced sample. Respondents were examined to determine whether they were directly responsible for the employment of employees within their organization. Resume Genius used standard statistical techniques to analyze survey data to identify overall trends and demographic differences across age and gender groups.

Photo credits: Sorbetto/iStock