Smart algorithms or human intuition? : A study of the role of artificial intelligence in recruitment

As artificial intelligence (AI) increasingly plays a bigger role in various parts of our society, questions arise regarding its part in recruitment, an area traditionally dominated by human judgement and decision making. The purpose of this study is to contribute to an increased understanding of recruiters perspective on the use of AI in recruitment processes including the possibilities and the challenges. Using semi-structured interviews and a survey with professionals in the area, a thematic analysis was conducted, identifying five themes. The findings of this study indicated that while the respondents recognize the potential of increased efficiency through AI - enabling more time to be dedicated to meaningful interactions with candidates - they also acknowledge the limitations. Respondents still value in-person contact with the candidates, emphasizing a balanced approach that combines AI as a complement to human insights and assessment. These insights provide valuable implications for the use of AI in recruitment, highlighting the need for a combined approach that allows AI to enable efficiency in parts of the process while still allowing recruiters to use their expertise and human judgement.