The first part of Finland’s National Recruitment Study 2026, conducted by our partner Duunitori, explores a critical question for employers today:
Is AI in recruitment truly transforming hiring – or are we only scratching the surface?
The findings suggest we are at a turning point.
A Growing Gap Between Employers and Talent
Despite widespread discussion around AI’s impact on hiring, actual adoption remains limited.
Only 26% of Finnish employers report using AI in recruitment today .
At the same time, 37% of candidates are already leveraging AI in their job search.
This imbalance highlights a significant shift:
talent is adopting new technology faster than organizations.
As a result, traditional recruitment methods are under increasing pressure – and risk becoming outdated.
Rethinking Hiring in the Age of AI
AI-generated applications are reshaping how candidates present themselves. According to the study, 47% of organizations in Finland recognize the need to reinvent their hiring processes.
Why?
Because conventional tools like CVs and cover letters are losing their effectiveness. AI can now generate polished, persuasive applications that make it harder to assess true capability.
This is driving a necessary shift toward:
- Skills-based validation
- Real-world capability assessment
- More meaningful human interaction
From Efficiency Tool to Strategic Advantage
The research shows that AI is still primarily used for operational efficiency – such as drafting job ads, summarizing applications, or creating content.
While these use cases save time, they do not unlock AI’s full potential.
The real competitive advantage lies in moving toward:
- Advanced talent intelligence
- Predictive hiring and workforce planning
- Identifying emerging skill needs
Organizations that make this shift will be better positioned to compete in an increasingly complex talent market.
Trust and Transparency as Critical Enablers
As AI becomes more integrated into recruitment, trust is emerging as a decisive factor.
The study reveals that 71% of Finnish employers believe candidates should be informed when AI is used in the hiring process.
This reflects a broader expectation:
AI must be implemented transparently and responsibly.
Organizations that fail to establish clear ethical frameworks risk damaging their employer brand.
Those that succeed can create a more secure, human-centric candidate experience – an important differentiator in today’s market.
A Defining Moment for Recruitment
AI is not replacing recruitment – but it is redefining it.
The organizations that will lead are not those that simply adopt AI tools, but those that:
- Rethink their hiring processes
- Focus on better signals of talent
- Combine technology with trust and transparency
At The Network, we observe this shift across global markets. The future of recruitment is not just AI-driven—it is built on the combination of AI, trust, and smarter talent insights.
Looking Ahead
The question is no longer whether AI will impact recruitment.
It already is.
The real question for organizations is:
Are you using AI to transform hiring – or just to keep up?