Robert Half Survey: 67% of HR leaders report that AI-generated applications are slowing hiring
- 84% of HR teams report increased workloads as more applications align with AI
- 65% of recruiters say AI-enhanced resumes make it harder to verify skills
Menlo Park, California, March 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes employment, organizations are finding that identifying skilled talent is becoming more difficult and time-consuming. According to research from talent solutions and business consulting firm Robert Half, 67% of U.S. HR leaders say reviewing AI-generated applications slows down the hiring process, with 20% reporting delays of two weeks or more.
AI complicates recruitment
The rapidly increasing use of AI tools by job seekers is creating new challenges for employers. 65% of recruiters report that the proliferation of applications, many of which are enhanced or generated by AI, has made it difficult to verify candidate skills. In some cases, generative AI tools fabricate or embellish work experience and skills, making it difficult for employers to distinguish between authentic experience and AI-generated content. This adds time, risk, and cost to recruitment in a market that already lacks highly skilled talent.
HR leaders in particular are feeling the strain, with 84% saying their team’s workload has increased. To validate candidates, many leaders are adding steps that can extend the hiring timeline even further:
- Spend more time reviewing applications (42%)
- Increase the number of interviews per candidate (38%)
- Update job descriptions to prevent common AI-generated responses (32%)
“AI has transformed recruiting at every step,” said Dawn Fay, director of operations at Robert Half. “Companies are looking for talent, but a surge in unconfirmed applications is extending timelines and delaying critical work.”
How can companies cut through the AI noise?
As organizations look for ways to maintain speed and accuracy in hiring, many are turning to external partners. Two-thirds (67%) of respondents say they use staffing agencies for recruitment support, and 89% report that these partners effectively address AI-related recruitment challenges primarily because:
- Leverage advanced tools to validate candidate materials
- Conducting targeted skills assessments
- Quickly bring pre-qualified professionals to high-priority roles
Additionally, staffing firms like Robert Half rely on proprietary candidate performance data from previous engagements to source talent with proven skills and experience. This gives employers even more confidence in the quality of their candidates.
“Our findings confirm the continued importance of human expertise in evaluating talent and mitigating recruitment risks,” Fey added. “While AI has made it easier to write applications, it has not made it easier to identify the right talent. In many cases, AI is doing the opposite, increasing the need for trusted experts who can validate skills and quickly provide qualified candidates.”
For more information, visit Robert Half’s career, employment and employer advice page.
FAQ:
Why does AI lengthen the hiring process for employers?
AI-generated resumes and an increase in the number of applicants enabled by AI are creating more work for recruiters. Hiring teams spend a lot of time validating skills, assessing credibility, and evaluating unqualified applicants.
Are AI-generated resumes always inaccurate or misleading?
Not all AI-generated applications are inaccurate or misleading. Many test takers are using AI responsibly to improve clarity and grammar. The challenge for employers is the volume of unverified applications and the difficulty in distinguishing authentic experiences from AI-fabricated content.
How can staffing agencies help employers meet the challenges of AI-powered recruitment?
Through proprietary performance data and candidate verification processes, staffing agencies can streamline candidate evaluation, reduce hiring risk, and verify candidate trustworthiness.
About research
This research was compiled from a survey developed by Robert Half and conducted by an independent research firm in November 2025. The survey includes responses from more than 2,000 U.S. recruiters.
About Robert half
Robert Half (NYSE: RHI) is the world’s first and largest professional talent solutions and business consulting firm, connecting highly skilled job seekers with rewarding opportunities at great companies. We provide contract talent and recruitment solutions in the areas of finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal, management and customer support, as well as executive search services. Robert Half is the parent company of Protiviti®, a global consulting firm providing internal audit, risk, business and technology consulting solutions. In the past 12 months, Robert Half, including Protiviti, Fortune® Most Admired Companies™ and 100 Best Companies to Work For. Explore talent solutions, research and insights at roberthalf.com.
Source Robert Half
