CALIFORNIA, USA — Almost half England What job seekers are currently paying attention to is: Artificial intelligence (AI) A new study reveals a widening ‘trust gap’ in employment, as employers grow increasingly concerned about the extent to which they should rely on the same technology in hiring decisions. reported by Staffing Industry Analyst.
The findings show that in a rapidly evolving job market, trust in talent is increasing while AI is becoming a standard tool for candidates. Recruitment using AI remains uneven.
This change is future of work is reshaping not only the employment system but also expectations for fairness, transparency, and human judgment in the workplace.
AI will become a mainstream job search tool
According to research by Omni RMS, almost half (47%) of UK jobseekers are using AI in their job search, primarily to tailor CVs and prepare for interviews.
The research surveyed 739 UK candidates across age, gender, region and industry sector in February 2026. AI tools It is incorporated into daily job hunting.
More than half of respondents (51%) said they have used an AI tool to improve or tailor their resume to their specifications. This reflects the growing normalization of automated assistance in career preparation.
However, concerns remain about how AI will be used by employers. According to the survey, more than a third (34%) job seeker Employers are already experiencing the use of AI during the recruitment process.
Despite this, trust in such systems remains fragile, with 42% saying they trust human-driven recruitment over AI-assisted processes.
Candidates value trust, transparency and flexibility
meanwhile Introduction of AI Despite the upward trend, traditional job expectations remain central to candidate decisions. Pay and benefits are top priorities for job seekers (49%), followed by flexible working (41%) and hybrid or remote options (29%). Career development opportunities also remain important at 28%.
Concerns are particularly strong among young candidates. More than a third (36%) of 17-25 year olds said they would consider exiting an application if they felt their organization was overly reliant on AI.
“This study shows that candidate responses to the use of AI are influenced by role and organization.” said Louise Shaw, Managing Director of Omni RMS, said:
“What this research clearly highlights is that a ‘trust gap’ is emerging. Candidates are comfortable using AI to support their applications, but employers are becoming more cautious when it comes to relying too heavily on AI for decision-making,” said Shaw. added.
Despite these concerns, optimism persists about technology’s role in employment. Almost half of respondents (46%) believe that AI will improve the recruiting experience in the coming years, ushering in: AI and human surveillance These can coexist when shaping how talent is hired.
