AI in Hiring Boon or Blunder? 72 percentage Say Human Validation is Non-Negotiable, Finds Genius HRTech’s Survey

National, 23rd September 2025: Genius HRTech Limited (formerly known as Genius Consultants Limited), a leading Workforce Staffing Services & HR Solutions provider in the global market, has released the findings of its latest Digipoll Survey Report, exploring how Indian professionals view the growing role of Artificial Intelligence in recruitment.

The survey, conducted among 1,887 professionals across industries, reveals a workforce both intrigued by AI’s potential and cautious of its risks. When asked to what extent AI reduces the need for human intervention, 39% believe AI can handle most tasks independently, while 27% say it can only assist under human oversight. Interestingly, 18% feel human judgment remains central, and 16% assert recruitment should remain entirely human-driven.

On the critical question of AI making final hiring decisions, scepticism dominates. 72% respondents say human validation is essential, while only 15% are open to fully AI-driven decisions if systems are well-calibrated. A smaller 10% may allow AI in high-volume or junior hiring, whereas 3% remain undecided, awaiting stronger progress in AI ethics and transparency.

AI’s efficiency benefits are evident, with 47% of respondents reporting a significant reduction in time-to-hire and 28% noting slight improvements. However, 17% say they have seen no change, and 8% even highlight delays caused by overreliance on AI systems.

Candidate experience, however, remains a grey area. While 14% report positive feedback on AI-led recruitment, nearly half (49%) say reactions are mixed; some value efficiency while others find it impersonal. About 27% outright dislike AI processes for lacking the human touch, and 10% admit they have not actively tracked candidate sentiment.

When asked which recruitment areas have benefited most from AI, resume screening and shortlisting emerged as the clear winner with 62% votes, followed by skill-based assessments (18%), interview scheduling (14%), and candidate sourcing (6%).

On alignment with Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) goals, 30% believe AI reduces human bias, but 27% feel AI may replicate existing biases. Another 23% think improvements are underway but insufficient, while 20% remain uncertain due to lack of transparency and data.

The biggest concern for talent leaders remains the human element: 36% fear AI lacks empathy and intuition, 28% worry about overlooking unconventional talent, 26% highlight algorithmic bias, and 10% raise data privacy concerns.

Looking to the future, 39% expect AI to dominate most recruitment processes in the next five years, while 33% see it as a strong support system rather than a replacement. Interestingly, 24% predict a return of focus on human recruiters for relationship-building, while 4% believe adoption will slow due to ethical and trust issues.

Commenting on the findings, Mr. R P Yadav, Chairman and Managing Director of Genius HRTech Limited, said: “AI has certainly accelerated the hiring process, but our survey shows the Indian workforce remains clear; technology cannot replace human judgment, empathy, and fairness. Companies must strike the right balance, using AI as a partner, not a proxy. The future of recruitment will be defined by how effectively we combine innovation with human intuition.”

The survey highlights a pivotal moment in India’s talent acquisition journey: AI has proven its value in efficiency and scale, yet its limitations on fairness, empathy, and inclusivity underscore the continued need for human oversight