In today’s technologically dependent world, you’re hard pressed to go a day without using some form of AI–even if you don’t realize it. And while workplaces strive to work more efficiently, you may find your teams consciously implementing AI into your daily processes. While many employers work toward implementation, others are left to wonder where to begin. How are other HR practitioners using it and what are some best practices or lessons-learned?

We were recently contacted by a DirectEmployers Member who was interested in gaining the answers to these questions and opted to do a survey of their peers (a perk of membership!). They drafted the questions, and we sent it out to our database to anonymously collect their responses over a two-week period. After the results were finalized and reviewed, a few interesting findings and key trends emerged.

Adoption

Respondents were split fairly equal between saying ‘yes they currently use AI in recruitment’ and those saying they’re ‘currently exploring and planning to in the future’ – equaling 76% of the responses. This is further proof of just how prominent AI is becoming in the recruitment space, even while some remain resistant (24%). Among those currently using AI, the most common application seems to be ‘sourcing candidates’ (67%), followed by ‘resume screening/initial shortlisting’ and ‘candidate matching to job requirements’ (both 38%).

So what tools are practitioners using? Some of the most frequently cited were LinkedIn AI-powered features, Phenom, hireEZ, and Indeed.

Benefits

So, what benefits are DirectEmployers Members gaining from AI use in recruitment? Not surprisingly, ‘increased recruiter efficiency’ ranked highest at 70%, with ‘better candidate experience’ and ‘reduced bias in screening’ both at 30%. As with the adoption of most technology, improving processes and saving employees time on daily tasks are both desirable outcomes – and if you can enhance the experience for candidates and make decisions less biased, that’s a win-win!

Challenges

Of course, implementing any new technology comes with challenges. Most respondents (55%) reported training and recruiter adoption as the biggest struggle. Taking the time to learn a new technology, getting it fully integrated with your other systems and technologies (another common challenge reported by 45% of professionals), and helping your team learn how to use it properly takes time and that is one thing HR practitioners don’t have an abundance of. And while respondents reported reduced bias as a benefit, 45% of those who took the survey said they fear bias, as it pertains to regulatory compliance risk.

Looking Ahead

With 37% of respondents stating that they are currently exploring AI tools and planning to implement them in the future, it’s certain that the use of these technologies will continue to grow in the employment space. Other areas of recruitment reportedly being explored for integration in the next one to two years include, talent acquisition strategy planning, candidate evaluation, chatbots, and interview scheduling.

As technologies develop and more companies push to implement these potential money and time-saving tools, oversight by regulatory agencies is also sure to expand. We recommend working closely with your legal team when implementing AI into your processes and to keep up to date on the latest EEOC guidance and legislation in this rapidly growing area.

DirectEmployers Members can sign in to DE Connect to view the full overview of responses.