Recruitment teams are under growing pressure to build workforces ready for artificial intelligence (AI), as CEOs demand help closing the skills gap in this fast-changing area. A new LinkedIn report shows that 86% of talent acquisition professionals in the US and UK have been asked by their CEOs to focus on creating the workforce of the future.
Despite this push, many business leaders are not happy with their progress using AI. Only four in 10 say they’re satisfied with how far their companies have come so far. Half of these leaders see a performance gap emerging between employees who use AI creatively and those who stick to basic tasks or don’t use it at all.
Recruiters face their own challenges. Just 34% describe themselves as “AI power users” — people who mix AI skills with human insight to make a real difference for their business. These recruiters often spend more time working strategically and improving the job candidate experience thanks to AI. LinkedIn’s Mark Lobosco said these power users are leading the way in smarter hiring.
Meanwhile, 47% of recruiters say their teams use AI mostly for routine tasks to boost their productivity, but not to shape bigger hiring strategies.
There’s a lot at stake. Recruiters believe that without AI skills in the next year, they risk falling behind competitors (45%), struggling to find top talent (41%), and missing growth goals (38%).
The use of AI in recruitment has exploded, growing 428.7% since 2023, based on data from iHire. Companies commonly use AI for writing job ads, composing messages, and screening resumes. Some experts also see AI becoming a new kind of “hiring gate,” influencing who gets considered for jobs.
Salary trends reflect the demand for AI skills. According to a PwC report, US professionals with AI expertise can earn up to 25% more. For some roles, like database designers and administrators, the premium can be as high as 53%.
As AI reshapes workplaces, recruitment teams find themselves front and center in helping companies adapt. But many still need to boost their AI know-how to keep up with leaders’ expectations and the quickly evolving job market.