According to a survey conducted by recruitment firm Hays Ireland, almost a third of 18-24 year olds are using artificial intelligence (AI) to help them complete their job applications.
The research is based on a survey of over 1,000 employers and employees working in a range of industry sectors across Ireland.
The study found that one in three companies currently uses AI in the workplace, and of those, 14 percent use the technology to evaluate job applications, which includes scanning resumes and scoring job seekers to sift through and identify the most suitable candidates.
The survey found that 32% of 18-24 year olds are using AI to help them find a job, compared to just 18% of those over 50.
Public organizations are more likely than private organizations to use AI to evaluate job applications, at 25% and 12%, respectively.
When it comes to using AI in the workplace, three-quarters of organizations say they plan to allow employees to use AI in the future, and one-third say they are currently using the technology.
More than three-quarters of employees say they have never used AI tools in their current role. Of those who have, 26% say they use AI tools several times a week, and 28% say they use them multiple times a day.
Maureen Lynch, managing director of Hays Ireland, said AI tools “remain a major innovation in the workplace”, impacting both employees and employers.
“While human perspective and discussion are invaluable, AI tools can augment and improve our work,” she said.
“Some professionals may be hesitant to use AI tools without clear approval from their current or potential employers. This hesitation often stems from concerns about possible misunderstandings about the use of AI in the workplace or a fear of being seen as overly reliant on the technology.”
“The use of AI tools in the workplace is likely to increase as organizations become more familiar with them and implement clear policies that encourage the integration of AI into the workplace.”
Lynch said clear communication about how AI tools will be used is “essential” for both employees and employers to strike a balance between leveraging AI and maintaining high quality work.
“We expect companies to increase their use of AI tools to bring more efficiency and innovation to the hiring process while continuing to offer in-person interviews,” she added.
