The Impact of Generative AI on Hiring: A Wake-Up Call for Employers

The impact of generative AI on hiring is now impossible to ignore. The rapid advancements in AI technology are reshaping recruitment processes in ways that were once theoretical but are now very real. Here are some striking examples of how AI is disrupting hiring—and the tough challenges employers are now facing.

AI-Generated Responses: The One-Way Video Interview Crisis

One-way video interviews have become a sea of script-reading, with candidates reciting ChatGPT-generated answers. A major professional services firm recently reported a staggering drop in its one-way video interview pass rate—from 50% to just 13% year-on-year—due to applicants submitting near-identical AI-generated responses. The resource implications of this shift are significant, forcing employers to rethink how they assess candidates effectively.

The Surge in Job Applications—And the Gender Imbalance It’s Creating

Many employers have seen job application numbers surge by over 100% year-on-year, creating new challenges. But it’s not just the volume of applications that’s concerning—there’s also a major gender disparity emerging.

In some cases, organisations have seen shifts from a previous 50/50 gender split in applications to as much as 75/25 in favour of male candidates. Candidate survey data suggests that men are significantly more likely to use AI to mass-apply for jobs and to ignore instructions not to use generative AI. This is having a direct impact on female-to-male offer ratios, undermining gender equality in hiring.

AI is Undermining Traditional Screening Methods

Perfectly crafted application responses are now flooding in, making traditional screening questions almost useless. With GPT-4 and similar models generating highly sophisticated replies on technical, motivational, and behavioural topics, employers struggle to assess genuine job fit. This means conventional hiring tools—including application forms, one-way video interviews, and standard psychometric tests—are rapidly losing their effectiveness.

AI is Boosting Productivity—But at What Cost?

I fully support the idea that smart use of AI can enhance productivity, but when AI dominates the hiring process, it masks genuine talent and potential. Employers who rely on AI-heavy screening methods risk losing out on strong candidates whose behavioural strengths—such as resilience, empathy, and learning agility—aren’t easily measured through automated processes.

The Future of Hiring: A Call for Change

The truth is clear: conventional hiring processes—especially one-way video interviews and standard psychometric tests—are not designed for the age of advanced generative AI. Employers need to rethink their assessment strategies to ensure they can effectively identify genuine talent while maintaining fairness and integrity.

The hiring landscape is changing fast. Those who adapt will thrive.

Those who don’t will be left behind.