“I slutändan är det min egen expertis som gäller… det här är en assistent, inte en ersättare.”

: En kvalitativ studie om HR-professionellas upplevelser av AI-baserade verktyg i rekryteringsprocessen

Abstract

The increasing digitalization of recruitment processes has led to the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital tools within human resource management. While these technologies are often associated with efficiency and data-driven decision-making, they also raise questions regarding professional judgment, responsibility, and fairness in recruitment. The aim of this study is to examine how HR professionals and recruiters describe their recruitment work after the digital shift and how they use and relate to AI in the recruitment process. The study is based on a qualitative research design using semi-structured interviews with five HR professionals and recruiters who have experience of both traditional and digital recruitment practices.The findings indicate that AI and digital tools are primarily used as operational support in recruitment rather than as systems that replace human decision-making. Recruiters describe how AI can contribute to efficiency in tasks such as handling large numbers of applications and structuring information about candidates. However, the final assessment of candidates is still perceived as a human responsibility. The results further show that recruiters emphasize the importance of maintaining professional judgment, particularly when ensuring fairness and transparency in the selection process. At the same time, some participants perceived the use of AI in candidate screening as potentially contributing to greater fairness by reducing human bias in early stages of the selection process. The study concludes that AI currently functions mainly as a complement to human decision-making in recruitment rather than as a substitute. While digital tools can support parts of the process, recruiters continue to play a central role in interpreting results, making final decisions, and ensuring responsible recruitment practices. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of how AI is perceived and used in recruitment practice and highlight the importance of balancing technological support with human expertise.

Date of Award	2026-Jun
Original language	Swedish
Supervisor	Vesa Leppänen (Supervisor)