An Indian-origin student in the United Kingdom has highlighted the growing influence of artificial intelligence in recruitment, stating that automated hiring systems are making the process increasingly impersonal and leading to rapid rejections.
According to a report by the BBC, Bhuvana Chilukuri, a 20-year-old third-year business student at Queen Mary University of London, stated that she has applied to more than 100 jobs without receiving a single offer.
She stated that in several instances, applications were rejected within minutes, indicating that decisions were likely being made by automated systems rather than human recruiters.
Chilukuri stated that the initial stages of hiring are increasingly being handled by AI tools that screen CVs, followed in some cases by AI-led video interviews, reducing direct human interaction in the process.
Despite completing internships and gaining work experience, she stated that she has not secured employment ahead of her graduation this summer. She described the experience of AI-led interviews as impersonal, stating that responding to automated prompts for extended periods can feel mechanical and diminish an applicant’s ability to convey personality.
Her experience reflects a broader trend among young job seekers navigating a competitive labour market. The BBC reported that job vacancies have declined from post-pandemic highs, while rising costs for employers and stronger worker protections have made companies more cautious about hiring. At the same time, organisations are increasingly relying on AI tools to manage high volumes of applications.
Denis Machuel, chief executive of Adecco Group, stated that the scale of hiring has expanded significantly, with candidates now often required to submit hundreds of applications to secure a single offer.
He stated that while AI enables companies to process larger candidate pools, it also increases the number of unsuccessful applicants, contributing to widespread frustration.
Chilukuri stated that while she understands why companies are adopting AI tools to handle application volumes, candidates are also adapting by using similar technologies to create resumes and applications.
She added that the growing reliance on automation in hiring remains concerning, stating that she continues to place greater trust in human interaction, even as opportunities for direct engagement with recruiters become more limited.
The development underscores the evolving dynamics of recruitment, as both employers and candidates increasingly rely on artificial intelligence, raising questions about fairness, efficiency and the overall candidate experience.