HireVue released the data yesterday (19 February) in its Global AI in Hiring Report for 2025, which explores UK employees’ use and support of AI in the workplace.
The report also revealed that two thirds (61%) of UK HR professionals have implemented AI in their hiring processes and that 44% already use generative AI.
Although the report shows that many HR professionals are already using AI at work, there are no official guidelines for many of them.
John Lloyd, director at specialist data privacy consultancy, Securys, stated that there are dangers to not implementing official AI guidelines, although workplaces should be careful.
He told HR magazine: “The absence of an AI policy increases both legal and operational risks. Bias and [AI] hallucinations can lead to bad decisions which harm people and businesses. Uncontrolled AI use can also lead to data breaches and other security and privacy concerns.
“Poorly managed use of AI will lead to a rise in discrimination claims. Responsible, policy-backed AI deployment will make everyone safer in the workplace.”
Read more: Workplace AI policies: Does your company need them?
Olive Turon, head of people at psychometric testing platform TestGorilla, echoed this. She said: “A particular concern is how unregulated AI use might encroach on the fairness and bias-free behaviours that are so engrained in our culture. It’s well documented that AI learns from the spaces that hold enormous amounts of bias and discrimination.
“Another risk to consider is that if we don’t universally accept AI into our workplace policies, we risk pockets of learning and development remaining siloed to certain departments.”
HIreVue's report also showed that 6% of HR professionals admitted to actively ignoring the AI policies they do have in place at work. A further 18% report using an unsanctioned AI app for work purposes.
Emma Obanye, CEO of tech company OneTech, noted that AI is here to stay, especially within HR practices such as hiring.
Speaking to HR magazine, she said: “AI adoption is outpacing regulation, which means that businesses need to proactively shape their own policies. When ChatGPT became popular, many corporations tried to bury their heads in the sand. But ignoring AI doesn’t make it disappear.
“AI has, for example, been a game-changer for neurodiverse employees, helping them thrive at work."
Jasmine Escalera, who works for career platform Zety, stated that it is always better to have AI policies in place, especially if employees are using unsanctioned AI platforms.
She said: "Even if companies refine their policies over time, having initial guidelines ensures responsible AI use and prevents unintended risks."
Read more: Younger HR professionals winning AI race
Although having an AI policy in place mitigates risks, there are many reasons why HR professionals are not implementing one, according to Lindsey Zuloaga, HireVue's chief data scientist.
She said: “Workplaces may avoid implementing AI guidelines due to a lack of understanding about how these systems work, or even an uncertainty or underestimation of the risks associated with the technology.
“The complex, technical and rapidly changing nature of AI means that employers often find it difficult to keep up.”
Obanye reinforced this view, adding that barriers to implementing an AI policy can stem from concern.
She said: “The barriers to implementation often stem from concerns about how it’ll affect ageism in the workplace and how older generations will adapt to AI. But delaying a workplace policy only puts businesses further behind the curve.”
