AI tools slow hiring, add pressure on HR teams

Amid all the hype around what artificial intelligence (AI) can bring to organisations, these tools are proving to be a challenge in the hiring process, according to a recent report.

AI is slowing down hiring for many Canadian employers and increasing workloads for already stretched HR teams, according to new research from talent solutions and business consulting firm Robert Half.

In a survey of 1,500 hiring managers across Canada, 61% of HR leaders said reviewing AI-generated applications has slowed the hiring process. The research, conducted in November 2025, covered professionals in finance and accounting, technology and IT, marketing and creative, legal, administrative and customer support, and human resources.

Nearly 9 in 10 (89%) HR managers are experiencing heavier workloads as candidates increasingly use generative AI (GenAI) tools to tailor applications. To cope, many organisations are adding more validation steps to their hiring processes, which is further extending time-to-hire.

The use of AI tools in hiring among global HR leaders has surged, according to a previous report. 

Rising concerns over résumé authenticity

According to the Robert Half survey, 64% of hiring managers say the increased volume and authenticity concerns of AI-generated résumés are creating notable challenges for their organisation. The report notes that generative AI is often “fabricating or embellishing work history and skills, making it harder for employers to distinguish authentic experience from AI-generated content.”

In response, employers are investing more effort in screening and selection. Nearly half of organisations surveyed are adding extra checks, including:

• Spending more time reviewing applications (43%)

• Increasing the number of interviews per candidate (42%)

• Updating job descriptions to discourage generic responses (39%)

Human resources teams are feeling the brunt of these changes, as they are typically the first line of defence in verifying candidate information and managing higher application volumes.

Seven in 10 U.S. managers say employees have made mistakes while using AI tools in the past year, with some errors costing employers more than US$50,000, according to a previous survey by Resume.org.

“AI is influencing nearly every part of the hiring process,” said Koula Vasilopoulos, Senior Managing Director, Robert Half, Canada. “At the same time, the rise in unverified or automated applications is making it harder for employers to move efficiently through candidate pools and verify candidate authenticity.”

In a statement accompanying the survey, Vasilopoulos says the findings underline the need to balance technology with human oversight.

“This research reinforces that technology works best when paired with human judgment, which remains essential for evaluating talent and keeping hiring decisions timely and on track,” she says.

Most workers believe their organisations will start using agentic AI before this year ends, but many still lack training on the technology, according to a previous report.

How can HR teams effectively use AI in hiring?

Despite the concerns highlighted in the survey, AI tools can still play a constructive role in streamlining parts of the talent lifecycle when used with clear controls and human oversight, according to Coursera.

For example, during recruitment, HR professionals might use AI to:

• Generate interview questions and job descriptions

• Identify candidates with relevant skill sets

• Rank potential hires based on their experiences

• Communicate with potential candidates via chatbot

• Screen potential candidates and invite them to apply

Once you’ve recruited and hired new employees, you can continue to use AI during the onboarding process. You can:

• Generate personalised new hire training materials and documents

• Automate the delivery of required information

• Provide continual onboarding support via chatbots

AI skills now top the list of hardest-to-find capabilities for employers worldwide as talent shortages remain historically high, according to ManpowerGroup’s 2026 Talent Shortage Survey.