AI to hit jobs and job hunting

By Chris Wheal

February 11, 2024

The latest Candidate Sentiment Survey from UK recruitment firm Robert Half found 70% of UK workers wanted the human touch rather than AI when looking for a job and more than a third (36%) said they would deal only with humans. 

But almost the same proportion, 34%, said they are happy for AI to be part of the process as long as real people were part of their experience. 

Age had an impact. Fewer 18-34 year olds wanted to deal only with humans (25% versus 40% of those aged 35-54 and 49% of the over 55’s). But almost half of the younger demographic (43%) want person-to-person interaction to remain a critical component of recruitment.

Some 35% of UK workers stated that AI hasn’t yet impacted their role and don’t believe it will this year. Just 9% of employees believe that this technology will reshape their role by reducing administration, while 3% stated that AI is going to completely change how they work in 2024.

Looking for a job as deeply human 

Kris Harris, regional director, UK technology solutions at Robert Half, said AI could save on admin but subjective reasoning was required. “It is not surprising that an overwhelming proportion of the UK workforce still views the experience of looking for a job as deeply human,” he said.

“Finding purpose and fulfilment with meaningful work, whilst feeling connected and empowered is one way to describe the new world of work. Individuals no longer simply perceive their workplace as a means of earning a living, but as an environment of shared values, beliefs and purpose. This makes job-seeking and career-building a subjective and personal experience, which cannot solely rely on AI.”