Artificial intelligence is making it easier for job seekers to apply for roles—but harder for employers to identify genuine talent. A new survey finds that a majority of HR leaders say AI-generated resumes are slowing recruitment and increasing pressure on hiring teams.
According to a study by talent solutions and consulting firm Robert Half, 67% of US HR leaders report that reviewing AI-generated applications has slowed the hiring process, with one in five saying recruitment timelines have been extended by more than two weeks.
The findings highlight how generative AI tools are reshaping recruitment, often flooding employers with large volumes of applications that require additional verification.
Surge in AI-generated applications
The rapid adoption of AI tools among job seekers has changed the way candidates prepare resumes and cover letters. Many applicants now use generative AI systems to draft, edit or tailor job applications for multiple roles simultaneously.
While the technology can improve writing clarity, it has also led to a sharp increase in the number of applications submitted for each vacancy.
The Robert Half survey found that 65% of hiring managers say AI-enhanced resumes are making it harder to verify candidates’ skills and experience.
In some cases, employers report that AI tools are embellishing or fabricating elements of work history, making it more difficult for recruiters to distinguish authentic experience from algorithm-generated claims.
In a labour market already facing shortages of specialised talent, this creates additional risk and complexity for employers.
Growing pressure on HR teams
The impact is being felt most strongly by recruitment teams.
According to the survey, 84% of HR professionals say their teams are experiencing heavier workloads as they spend more time reviewing and validating job applications.
To maintain hiring standards, many companies are introducing additional steps into recruitment processes.
About 42% of HR leaders say they are spending more time reviewing candidate applications, while 38% have increased the number of interviews per candidate in order to verify skills more thoroughly.
Another 32% report revising job descriptions to discourage generic responses produced by AI tools.
Dawn Fay, operational president at Robert Half, said the rapid rise of generative AI is transforming recruitment but also introducing new inefficiencies.
“AI has transformed hiring at every stage,” Fay said in comments accompanying the research. “Companies are looking to hire, but a surge in unverified applications is extending timelines and delaying critical work.”
Companies turn to external hiring support
As organisations attempt to manage the surge in AI-generated applications, many are seeking additional support from external recruitment partners.
The survey found that 67% of employers are using staffing firms to assist with hiring, particularly to help verify candidate credentials and conduct targeted skills assessments.
Nearly 89% of respondents said these external partners had been effective in addressing AI-related hiring challenges, helping organisations identify qualified candidates more quickly.
Staffing firms are also increasingly using specialised tools and performance data to validate applicants’ skills and past work experience before presenting them to employers.
Human judgement still central to hiring
Despite the growing role of automation in recruitment, the survey suggests that human expertise remains critical in assessing candidate quality.
Generative AI has lowered the barrier to producing polished resumes and cover letters, allowing applicants to tailor submissions rapidly. However, employers now face the task of determining which applications reflect genuine capability.
Experts say this dynamic may push organisations to redesign hiring processes, incorporating more practical tests, technical assessments and in-person interviews.
In effect, while AI may be accelerating the application stage, it is also extending later phases of recruitment as companies attempt to verify authenticity.
Hiring processes likely to evolve
The Robert Half research, conducted in November 2025 with more than 2,000 hiring managers in the United States, suggests AI-driven recruitment challenges are likely to intensify.
As generative AI tools become more sophisticated and widely used, employers will need new systems to separate credible applicants from automated submissions.
For companies competing for scarce talent, the goal will be balancing efficiency with accuracy.
AI may have made applying for jobs faster than ever. But for recruiters, identifying the right candidate may now take longer than before.