Three in ten Belgian companies use artificial intelligence (AI) to recruit employees. The same amount plans to use it in the near future.
From sifting through CVs to conducting initial interviews with the use of AI chatbots, companies are increasingly looking to AI solutions for the recruitment process, according to Manpower’s Summer Trends Survey. Services such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT are playing an important role in the daily work of major recruiters.
“Belgian employers have recognised the advantages of technology. Only 15% believe that artificial intelligence will have a negative impact on the size of the workforce,” explained Sébastien Delfosse, Managing Director of Manpower Group BeLux.
Of the 510 employers surveyed in Belgium, 10% said that they were early adopters, having already onboarded AI technology in their work. 21% had recently adopted the solutions and 18% planned to do so within the next 12 months.
Will the classic interview become a thing of the past? Credit: Canva
This increased use of AI has consequences for applicants, with recruiters increasingly using algorithms to analyse CVs and perform candidate preselection. This means that candidates must ensure that their CVs are AI-friendly. This typically includes being well laid out and easy for computers to read.
Employers are even using AI to help create job listings and to automatically respond to questions about open positions.
“Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the role of recruiters, allowing them to focus more on high-value tasks, such as establishing quality contacts with candidates, to make the best hiring decisions,” Delfosse added.
Positive dynamics
Companies seem to believe that increased use of AI will have a positive impact on managing staff. Notably, more than half (58%) say that it will positively impact employee training, 57% think it will increase engagement with employees, 56% say it will help with upskilling, and 52% say it will simplify onboarding processes.
Manpower asserts that “the entry threshold for implementation is quite low in terms of financial investment”, meaning that AI is likely to be adopted across the sector, both for small and large companies.
Belgian employers dismiss fears that AI recruitment will result in job losses. Only 15% said AI technologies would reduce their headcount over the next two years. On the contrary, 49% say it will create new jobs.
