UK Graduate Hiring: AI Use in Applications Rises as 92% of Employers Report Suspected AI Misconduct
Summary
- • 92% of surveyed UK graduate employers encountered or suspected AI misconduct, up from 85% last year
- • Employers are more accepting of AI for cover letters and CVs than at other application stages
- • EDF closed its graduate scheme early after 12,000 applications, up 10%, within three weeks
- • Graduates say employers' AI screening makes bans on candidate AI use hypocritical
Details
92% of employers encountered or suspected AI misconduct, up from 85% the previous year
Based on the Institute of Student Employers' summer survey of 155 of the UK's biggest graduate employers. Most cases involved AI real-time assistants during video interviews or online assessments.
Employers are more accepting of AI at some application stages, mainly cover letters and CVs
Next most accepted is online application questions. Tolerance for AI drafting has not extended to live assessments, where use is most often treated as misconduct.
ISE joint CEO Stephen Isherwood says 'spray and pray' applying raises competition and pressure
Applicants send many applications using AI tools, which increases volume for employers and makes it harder for each candidate to stand out.
EDF closed its graduate scheme early after 12,000 applications, up 10% on last year, three weeks after opening
EDF's head of early careers, Hollie Moody, says AI almost certainly contributed to the volume and that there is no level playing field between candidates.
EDF issued AI guidance and reads CVs only in later stages of its process
It relies on skills and behaviour assessments and video interviews instead, and has noticed scripted-sounding answers from candidates.
Tom, 22, from Maidstone, used AI for CVs, cover letters and keywords across 200+ applications
He calls it hypocritical for firms to ban candidate AI use while using AI to screen applications. A trainee accountant also reported using AI in every one of 50 applications.
Stat = survey figure, Industry Update = employer moves, Insight = attributed analysis, Strategy = hiring process response, Context = candidate experience
What This Means
AI use in job applications is now widespread among UK graduates, and employers are responding with a mix of partial acceptance and tighter checks. Higher application volumes are pushing firms to close schemes early and shift away from CVs toward live assessments. Candidates face an uneven landscape where AI drafting is often tolerated but AI help in interviews is treated as misconduct.