More than half of UK employers surveyed by Morgan McKinley in Q3 2026 reported not using AI in their hiring processes, the highest level of caution among seven countries polled. This hesitancy coincides with widespread skepticism among UK job seekers toward AI-driven recruitment decisions.
- 52% of UK employers avoid AI in hiring, vs. 36% across surveyed markets.
- 28% of UK job seekers unlikely to apply if AI assessments involved.
- 78% of candidates use AI for job search tasks like CV and interview prep.
What happened
A survey conducted by recruitment firm Morgan McKinley during the third quarter of 2026 asked over 2,100 respondents about their use and perception of AI in recruitment. Among these, only about 144 were employers, with roughly 27 from the UK, marking a small but telling sample size. The findings highlighted that more than half of UK employers do not currently incorporate AI in their hiring processes—significantly higher than the average across all seven markets in the survey.
On the candidate side, there is also notable skepticism. Nearly one-third of UK job seekers indicated they would be much less likely to apply if AI was used to assess them, and over a quarter expressed distrust in AI making hiring decisions. Despite these concerns, a majority of candidates actively use generative AI tools for resume crafting, cover letter writing, and interview preparation.
Why it matters
This cautious stance from UK employers may reflect broader apprehensions about the accuracy, fairness, and transparency of AI in recruitment processes. The difficulties employers face include verifying candidate skills and background, which AI usage by candidates has complicated. Additionally, a surge in applications, partially attributed to easier application processes assisted by AI, is creating bottlenecks in screening.
The divide between employer hesitance and candidate AI usage presents challenges for workforce strategy planning. Employers must navigate maintaining human oversight and transparency while benefiting from AI efficiencies. This gap also reflects employee anxieties about job security, with nearly half fearing AI could replace their roles.
What to watch next
As AI becomes more embedded in the recruitment landscape, UK businesses will need to develop clear strategies that balance AI adoption with ethical considerations and trust-building. Investment in employee AI skills and support may become critical, given many workers currently learn AI tools independently.
Future research and market behavior will reveal whether UK employers’ cautious approach will shift toward more embracing AI or whether regulation, candidate attitudes, and operational challenges will sustain this wariness. Monitoring AI's impact on hiring volume, candidate experience, and recruitment outcomes will be key to understanding this evolving dynamic.