AI in hiring has officially moved from experimentation to necessary integration. But what does that actually mean for HR teams and job seekers? To better understand how global HR leaders and workers think about and interact with AI, HireVue surveyed over 4,000 HR leaders and employees for this year’s AI hiring guide.
by Dr. Lindsey Zuloaga
HireVue’s 2025 Global Guide to AI in Hiring breaks down the data and real-world impact of AI for employers in TA, giving you an inside look at how companies are leveraging solutions today. 
Key trends shaping AI in hiring
- AI-powered productivity: AI is automating repetitive tasks, allowing HR teams to focus on strategy and candidate engagement.
- Trust in AI has soared: More HR leaders trust AI-driven hiring recommendations
- Transparency is key: Candidates want to know how AI is used in hiring decisions—clear communication is essential.
- Implementation concerns vary between HR leaders and candidates: Each group prioritizes different aspects of the process.
AI is no longer a concept—it’s a core strategy
In 2025, HR professionals aren’t just testing AI—they’re relying on it.
- Weekly AI usage among HR professionals jumped from 58% in 2024 to 72% in 2025.
- Trust in AI has also surged, with confidence rising from 37% to 51%.
This shift reflects a new reality: AI is now an indispensable tool for streamlining hiring processes, boosting efficiency, and enhancing decision-making.
In addition, with the increase in productivity has come an increase in trust in AI recommendations.
In 2025, 51% of HR professionals reported high trust in AI systems in the workplace.
And with the right tools in place, employers can turn to skills-based hiring processes—with technology specifically built to assess the skills that predict success.
- Validated skills are objectively measured, ensuring candidates have the abilities needed for a role—with data proving they can do the job. Inferred skills, on the other hand, are less reliable and come from assumptions based on experience, education, or past roles—often leading to bias and misalignment if not grounded in sound data.
Directly test skills, rather than assume, with AI-powered tools like HireVue video interviewing, assessments, and conversational AI. Proven skills predict real job success with data-driven skill validation.
The shift to AI-driven decision support
HR leaders see AI as a decision-support tool rather than a replacement for human judgment. AI is helping HR teams:
- Automate screening, training, and candidate communications.
- Improve hiring efficiency and speed.
- Reduce bias by shifting toward skill-based assessments.
But the conversation isn’t just about HR. Candidates are embracing AI to gain a competitive edge in job applications—yet they remain skeptical about AI making final hiring decisions. This underscores the need for HR teams to clearly communicate AI’s role in the process—as decision-support.
2025 is a defining year for AI in HR. The shift from automation to intelligent, action-driven AI is reshaping talent acquisition. Companies that harness AI effectively while maintaining trust and transparency will set themselves apart in the competitive hiring landscape.
Two-part strategy success
To address AI concerns, companies must balance risk mitigation and candidate trust.
Mitigate internal risk
- Select vendors with transparent, explainable AI, and proven results.
- Ensure your vendor can easily explain how their AI works. HireVue sets a standard with its industry-first AI Explainability Statement.
- Ensure there are ongoing third-party security audits to reinforce data protection.
Boost candidate trust
- Communicate AI’s role in hiring in a clear, human-centric way.
- Use assessments and job-matching tools to make hiring faster, fairer, and more inclusive.
- Implement tools like Find My Fit which expands opportunities by aligning candidates’ skills with ideal roles, fostering diversity and reducing bias.
By prioritizing ethical AI and fairness, companies can enhance trust and build a more inclusive workforce.
Want the full picture? Dive into the data, insights, and real-world applications of AI in hiring by downloading the 2025 Global Guide to AI in Hiring. Or request a demo here.
Dr. Lindsey Zuloaga is Chief Data Scientist at HireVue.
Photo by Bangun Stock Production on Unsplash
