Jessica O'ConnorConcerns about candidates using artificial intelligence (AI) to cheat during recruitment processes may be significantly overstated, according to findings from talent solutions provider Clevry.
The research revealed that while 62% of HR and talent professionals believe candidates are using AI to manipulate hiring processes, only 26% reported having seen actual evidence of such behaviour.
The gap points to a growing perception issue, where anxiety around AI may be outpacing real-world incidents.
Alan Redman, chief science officer at Clevry, said: “There’s a growing perception that AI is fuelling widespread cheating in recruitment, but the reality is far less dramatic.
“The concern is being driven more by anxiety than actual evidence.
“The industry’s fear of AI-enabled cheating is out of proportion to what’s actually happening. Most of the data we’ve seen suggests prevalence is relatively low, certainly far lower than people assume.
“Cheating in recruitment isn’t new. AI is just the latest tool people might use, much like asking a friend for help in the past.”
The State of AI in Talent Assessments 2026 report indicated that risks can be mitigated through improved assessment design and practical safeguards, with some formats proving more resistant to manipulation than others.
Redman added: “Getting a job has always been an arms race. As new tools emerge, people will try to use them, but assessment methods evolve just as quickly to keep pace.
“There is an irony here as the same tools candidates might use to ‘game’ the process are often the skills employers are actively looking for.
“Being able to use AI effectively, for example structuring information or writing strong prompts, is increasingly a valuable workplace skill and not necessarily something to penalise.”
Claudia Nuttgens, global head of assessment and selection consulting at AMS, said: “We know that some assessment approaches are more susceptible to candidate use of ChatGPT than others and are working with clients to think about how you deter, spot and prevent ChatGPt use where appropriate.
“To some extent we are also exploring how you allow for candidate use of ChatGPT in new approaches to assessments as using AI is going to become a huge component of many people’s working lives.”
