US employers are accelerating their use of AI screening in hiring, with most citing speed and efficiency as key drivers, according to a new survey commissioned by Indeed.

The survey, conducted online by The Harris Poll between Dec 29, 2025 and Jan 7, 2026, found that 93 per cent of hiring managers believe AI screening makes the hiring process more efficient, while 87 per cent say speed is a key differentiator in securing top talent  .

However, job seekers are more divided. While 71 per cent agree AI improves efficiency and 83 per cent say it makes the process faster, many remain concerned about fairness and over-reliance on keywords  .

Trust Gap Emerges Over AI Screening

The findings highlight a widening trust gap between employers and candidates as AI tools become more embedded in recruitment.

Among hiring managers surveyed, 84 per cent believe AI screening is unbiased and 87 per cent say it evaluates candidates fairly. By contrast, 61 per cent of job seekers believe AI is unbiased and 58 per cent think it evaluates them fairly  .

Concerns around resume screening are particularly pronounced. Eight in 10 job seekers worry that missing the “right” keyword could cause AI systems to overlook their qualifications  . At the same time, 61 per cent still trust a human more than AI to assess their skills.

Despite these reservations, 83 per cent of job seekers expect employers to use AI tools to screen resumes. Sentiment is mixed: 37 per cent feel positive about the practice, 32 per cent negative and 31 per cent indifferent  .

Fake Applications Drive Automation

One key factor behind the shift to AI screening is the rise in fake job applications.

More than half of hiring managers (53 per cent) say they have encountered a fake application, and 69 per cent report being concerned about the issue  . Among those who have encountered fake applications, concern rises to 82 per cent.

The survey suggests that automation is increasingly seen as a way to manage growing application volumes while verifying authenticity.

AI is also reshaping the interview process. Around 26 per cent of job seekers say they have participated in an interview conducted using AI  . A further 38 per cent believe AI interviews are already standard practice, and 43 per cent expect them to become standard within the next one to two years.

Perceptions are again mixed. Forty per cent say they would feel positive about being interviewed by AI, compared with 36 per cent who would feel negative. More than half believe AI interviews could reduce anxiety and help them be more authentic.

Reclaiming Time for Human-Centric Work

For employers, the potential time savings are significant.

Eighty per cent of hiring managers say they always or often review AI decisions, suggesting continued human oversight  . If AI handles screening and scheduling, managers say they would redirect time towards coaching, more meaningful candidate conversations and improving their own technical skills.

The findings reflect a broader shift in the US job market, where employers are balancing efficiency gains from AI with candidate expectations around fairness and transparency.

The survey focused on US respondents, but similar debates around AI hiring tools are emerging in Asia, including Singapore, as companies adopt automation to manage hiring at scale. As AI screening and interviews move closer to mainstream use, the challenge for employers may lie in maintaining trust while improving speed.