Survey: Only 28% of Philippine HR Leaders Trust AI to Make Final Hiring Decisions

While AI expedites hiring processes, HR leaders must still oversee its application

Only 28% of HR leaders in the Philippines expressed confidence in using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to make final hiring decisions without human supervision, according to new research from Robert Walters. This low figure indicates that whilst AI is increasingly being integrated into workforce functions, HR leaders remain firm that the tool’s primary value lies in assisting with automation and data processing.

The report highlights that companies are still developing and evaluating the strategic implementation of AI within talent acquisition. Despite the cautious approach to final decision-making, HR leaders widely acknowledge the benefits AI offers in managing heavy workloads, allowing teams to focus more on higher-priority tasks.

Kimberlyn Lu, Chief Executive Officer at Robert Walters Southeast Asia, comments, “While the initial phase of AI adoption focuses on automating routine tasks, the real work lies in strategic evaluation. Companies are taking a deliberate, measured approach to ensure these tools integrate effectively and ethically within their existing talent frameworks.”

When it comes to using AI as a supporting tool, 45% of large organisations are currently utilising it for HR tasks such as screening candidates, scheduling interviews, and generating job descriptions. Furthermore, 65% of companies plan to invest in AI and automation technologies to assist in HR functions over the next two years, suggesting a long-term commitment to digital transformation in talent management and recruitment.

Lu also notes, “AI is reshaping the HR landscape by automating routine, high-volume tasks. This shift allows HR professionals to focus on strategic human-centric activities, such as employee engagement, change management, and high-level negotiations. The real value of AI lies in augmenting, not replacing, the expertise of human recruiters and HR managers.”

Limitations and Promise of Artificial Intelligence

Despite its advantages, AI still presents clear limitations that require HR professionals to work alongside the technology. Notably, 48% of employers expressed concern that using AI might compromise data confidentiality. Additionally, 30% recognise that AI could perpetuate unfair conclusions due to algorithmic bias, whilst 23% understand that AI can still make errors despite its ability to analyse vast amounts of data.

Moving forward, the Philippine HR sector must remain highly intentional. Companies are adopting a strategic, two-step approach to this digital transformation. First, they are optimising AI tools to handle high-volume tasks that align with their operational needs. Second, they are firmly prioritising human supervision for critical decisions, reflecting the current low confidence in AI’s final judgement.