What 1,000+ Candidates Told Us About AI in Hiring [Infographic] 

Employers are investing more than ever in AI-enabled hiring. Candidates are using AI more than ever to apply. But there’s not much talk about it on either side. 

That’s the headline finding from PeopleScout’s new global research report, Inside the Candidate Experience 2026—a study of over 1,000 job seekers across 10 markets and 20 sectors. The data tells a clear story: the biggest opportunity to improve the candidate experience isn’t primarily about technology. It’s about communication. 

The infographic below highlights key findings from our research to help talent acquisition professionals evaluate their candidate experience in today’s AI-influenced landscape. 

The Opportunity Isn’t More AI. It’s More Communication. 

Of course, employers should keep investing in new hiring technology. But those investments only pay off on top of a solid foundation—clear, consistent communication. The research points to a mismatch in candidate expectation and experience, and highlights where the real opportunity lies – in the human moments jobseekers value most. That means telling people where they stand, being transparent about how they’re assessed, and closing the loop instead of leaving candidates in it indefinitely. 

Get the full picture. The full report breaks down the data by market and hiring stage, with practical guidance for closing the gap. Download Inside the Candidate Experience 2026.