Future of hiring | More than half of UK employers don't use AI in recruitment

More than half (55%) of UK employers do not currently use AI in recruitment, compared with 36% globally, making the UK the most cautious market surveyed.

Morgan McKinley’s 2026 Global AI Report also found greater caution among UK candidates. Some 28% say AI evaluation would make them significantly less likely to apply for a role, compared with 23% globally.

More than a quarter (27%) of UK candidates say they do not trust AI in recruitment decisions, compared with 22% globally.

AI complicates candidate checks

Candidate use of AI is already creating challenges for UK employers. Some 40% say it has made skills and backgrounds harder to verify, while 25% say increased application volumes are slowing screening.