Nearly eight in ten employers in Ireland are now using artificial intelligence (AI) to streamline the recruitment process, according to new research published by hiring platform IrishJobs.
The survey, which gathered responses from 475 recruiters and 824 jobseekers in Ireland, shows that adoption of AI tools in recruitment has surged by 50 percentage points in the past year. Irish recruiters are also moving in step with counterparts in Germany, the UK, and Austria, reflecting a wider international trend toward automating human resources functions.
The study highlights that writing and publishing job adverts is the most common use of AI among employers, helping organisations reduce the time and effort needed to launch recruitment campaigns. Reviewing CVs and job applications ranked second, while automating the preparation and distribution of offer and contract documents came in third. Notably, 13% of employers reported that they are already using AI to conduct interviews, a development that raises questions about the changing dynamics of candidate assessment.
The findings also shed light on frustrations among jobseekers. More than one in four applicants fail to complete the hiring process, with 23% saying they drop out because of the number of steps involved. The data suggests that while AI may make recruitment more efficient for employers, it could also contribute to a sense of detachment or complexity for candidates navigating the system.
Christopher Paye, Country Director of The Stepstone Group Ireland, which owns IrishJobs, stressed that the rapid integration of AI must be accompanied by responsible governance. “Despite the rapid rise of AI in recruitment, a sizable cohort of recruiters remain uncertain about the responsible and safe use of the technology,” he said. “It’s crucial that employers implement clear AI policies to ensure ethical use of the technology and invest in skilling programmes that equip recruitment teams with the right capabilities for the future.”
The report indicates that Ireland’s recruitment sector is embracing AI at a faster pace than many anticipated, echoing broader debates around the balance between efficiency and human judgment in hiring decisions. While automation promises to cut costs and speed up processes, it also raises concerns over fairness, transparency, and the potential for bias in AI-driven decisions.
For jobseekers, the growing reliance on AI means a shift in how applications are processed and assessed, with technology increasingly shaping which candidates make it through the first stages of hiring. For employers, the challenge will be to combine these efficiencies with practices that maintain trust, fairness, and a positive candidate experience.
