Building Trust in AI: How talent leaders can embrace AI with confidence

Remember when AI first arrived on the scene? It felt new, unfamiliar, and naturally sparked some hesitation. Fast forward just a few short years, and AI is no longer a novelty. In fact, it’s become a familiar part of everyday life. Nearly 80% of companies now use AI in at least one area of their operations—a big jump from 55% just two years ago.

And it’s easy to see why. AI has evolved well beyond simple chatbots and writing tools. Today, it can learn from massive data sets, uncover patterns, and offer insightful suggestions that help teams work smarter and faster. 

Still, even with this momentum, many teams are understandably cautious. Trusting people with critical business functions is second nature—but trusting technology? That’s a leap.

The good news is that trust in AI’s capabilities is growing. In Hirevue’s 2025 AI in Hiring Report, we found that trust in AI systems rose significantly, from 37% to 51% (in just one year). 

That means more leaders are beginning to see AI not as a replacement for human talent, but as a tool to help people thrive. Let’s explore how HR teams can build on that trust and use AI to move forward with confidence.

AI is a hiring partner, not a replacement

It’s an age-old concern—new technology will replace humans. But just like the steam engine and the internet didn’t render us all obsolete, AI won’t either.

AI is simply a collaborative partner, taking on repetitive tasks, augmenting decision-making, and inspiring creative thinking—it’s allowing teams to uncover capabilities they never thought imaginable. In other words, it’s elevating the hiring teams’ job, not eliminating it.

Rather than replacing the human touch that’s so vital in hiring, AI works alongside teams to make the process smarter and more intentional.

How AI partners with hiring teams

So, how can hiring teams collaborate with AI?

Starting with workflow automation, like Hirevue’s automated software, hiring teams can leverage 24/7 AI-engagement tools that connect with talent at any time of day. So while the recruiter is busy or off the clock, candidates get answers to their questions and are automatically directed to open positions that fit their skills. From initial engagement to final interview, AI keeps the process moving so candidates don’t drop off.

Now, instead of spending most of their time sourcing, assessing, and moving candidates to the next stage of the process, recruiters can turn their attention to high-value tasks that help land the best candidates for the job.

AI strengthens hiring decisions and finds better candidates, faster

There’s no doubt that AI speeds up the process. But does speed sacrifice quality?

No. It cuts through the noise and helps find top candidates that could have otherwise easily been missed. 

How AI identifies quality candidates

A polished resume and a charismatic interview have never been able to predict success on the job. What can? Skills and potential.

Using competency-based assessments and structured interviews, candidates are assessed on merit, and their skills and potential can set them apart. Asking the same questions the same way eliminates the tendency to make decisions based on gut feelings or shiny credentials and finds people who will excel in the role.

At the end of the day, it’s not about who sounds best—it’s about who shows up best.

AI unlocks internal talent potential

Many of the best candidates for a role may already be working within your organization—they just haven’t been matched to the right opportunity yet. That’s where AI steps in. 

How AI encourages growth

Skills assessments can be used beyond external hiring. They can also be used internally, uncovering hidden potential in your current employees.

That’s right, AI doesn’t just help you find great candidates—it helps you develop and retain the great people you already have. It shifts the hiring mindset from “who can we bring in?” to “who do we already have who’s ready to rise?”

The benefits are twofold. AI helps talent teams fill roles far faster than revisiting the hiring process. But it also creates a work environment where growth, development, and agility are championed…and where employees want to stay.

Building a culture of trust, transparency, and continuous improvement in the age of AI

AI is transforming how teams operate, how decisions are made, and how talent is hired. However, as with any major workplace shift, trust doesn’t happen automatically. It’s something leaders must cultivate with intention.

Dr. Lindsey Zuloaga, Chief Data Scientist at Hirevue, reaffirms this.

“In the past, AI felt more like a black box, but as it has become more transparent, both hiring leaders and candidates have become more comfortable. Sharing information, explaining how the technology works, and asking for consent to use AI—all of this has really been important in increasing comfort with technology.”

Here’s how to create an environment where the hiring team—and candidates—can trust that technology is being used ethically, responsibly, and thoughtfully. 

Stay up-to-date on changes

What AI could do a year ago differs from what it can do today. Many tools are now much more accurate and advanced. As AI technology evolves, companies must stay informed and refine their processes to ensure AI is used responsibly and equitably.

Here’s how to stay up to date:

• Regularly review and assess the tools you’re using.
• Ask vendors about updates, bias audits, and explainability features.
• Participate in webinars, training, and other resources focused on ethical AI.

Be open and upfront with candidates

Candidates deserve to know what’s happening behind the scenes—especially when technology is involved.

Remind candidates that real people are still making the final decisions. AI is there to support—not replace—human judgment. It’s a helpful tool, not the ultimate authority.

This kind of transparency builds trust. It shows your commitment to a hiring process that’s fair, thoughtful, and ethical. Candidates are more than just data points; their experience truly matters.

Partner with ethical AI vendors

When searching for hiring AI, look for vendors who are transparent about how their AI works. Reputable vendors will openly share an AI Explainability Statement, outlining how their models are built, tested, and monitored.

An ethical hiring AI partner should:

• Regularly test and audit their systems for bias.
• Stay current with regulations and industry best practices.
• Be clear about what the AI evaluates—and what it doesn’t.

Building a culture of trust around AI isn’t just about understanding how the technology works. It’s just as much about putting the right guardrails in place and teaming up with a vendor that values ethical AI as much as you do.

To learn about Hirevue’s methodology for staying on top of the rapidly changing landscape and mitigating bias in AI hiring algorithms, read our industry-first AI Explainability Statement.