Fairness, Disclosure and Gen AI: Navigating the New Normal in Early Careers Recruitment [Infographic] 

The recruitment landscape is undergoing a fundamental shift as generative AI (Gen AI) becomes an integral tool for early career job seekers. Our new research, Gen AI Meets Gen Z, reveals that 69% of Gen Z candidates now use AI throughout their application journey—nearly four times the rate of the general population. This technology divide is reshaping how young professionals present themselves, from CV tailoring to interview preparation, with candidates citing time efficiency and competitive parity as key drivers.  

Yet this widespread adoption brings significant challenges for employers, from ensuring fairness for the 31% who choose not to use AI, to managing the 70% who don’t disclose their usage due to unclear policies. As Gen AI capabilities continue to advance, understanding these patterns is no longer optional for talent acquisition teams. The question isn’t whether Gen AI is here to stay, but how employers will respond to maintain both recruitment integrity and competitive advantage. 

The infographic below highlights key findings from our recent research, to help talent acquisition professionals and hiring managers evaluate their early careers recruitment strategies in today’s AI-influenced landscape. 

The data makes one thing clear: early career recruitment has entered a new era that demands proactive adaptation from employers. With 36% of job seekers receiving no guidance whatsoever on Gen AI usage, and instruction varying wildly among those who do, the current approach is unsustainable. Organizations that fail to establish transparent policies risk disadvantaging principled non-users while simultaneously creating an environment where 70% of candidates using AI feel compelled to hide their usage. The solution lies in clear communication, systematic vulnerability audits, and ongoing monitoring of equity impacts across your recruitment funnel.  

Forward-thinking employers are harnessing the benefits of this technology—rather than prohibiting it—often partnering with assessment specialists to ensure integrity and fairness in the selection process. Staying ahead of the evolution of AI, embracing candidate Gen AI use and putting the necessary safeguards in place, will help talent leaders transform this challenge into an opportunity to build more effective, equitable early career programs.  

Want to learn more? Download PeopleScout’s full research report, The Gen AI Meets Gen Z, for comprehensive insights and strategic recommendations.