SAN FRANCISCO — Frontline job seekers aren’t looking to banish artificial intelligence from the hiring process. Instead, they want companies to be honest about how it is being used, according to a recent national survey.

A survey of 1,014 U.S. frontline workers conducted in June by Propeller Insights and commissioned by hiring platform Fountain reveals that only 25% of respondents oppose AI in recruitment. However, transparency plays a critical role in candidate perception: nearly three-quarters (73%) said that how an employer explains its AI usage directly shapes their trust in the company.

When organizations clearly communicate their AI policies, nearly a third (31%) of workers report trusting the employer more. Another 40% stated their trust depends heavily on the specific tasks the technology performs.

The Push for Human Oversight

The findings highlight a strong demand for human involvement during the hiring journey. Nearly half of respondents (48%) said knowing a human reviewer makes final hiring decisions would increase their comfort with automated systems. Additionally, 42% expressed a desire to request human interaction at any point in the application process.

Workers reported feeling most comfortable with AI handling routine logistical and early-stage tasks, including:

• Interview scheduling: 40% approval
• Role-related communications and updates: 38% approval
• Initial candidate screening: 29% approval

Widespread Frustration with “Ghosting” and Black-Box Screening

The study comes against a backdrop of widespread dissatisfaction among hourly and frontline job seekers. Among respondents who applied for positions over the past year, 62% reported being “ghosted”—receiving no further communication—after completing multiple interview rounds. Furthermore, 32% said they received no response at all following their most recent interview.

Communication gaps stood out as the leading frustration for 20% of applicants, while almost as many cited frustration with being filtered out by automated screening systems without understanding why.

“This survey confirms something we’ve long thought,” said Sean Behr, CEO of Fountain. “Frontline workers want respect and honesty. They know AI is part of the process. They’re asking to be kept in the loop: Tell me where I stand. Tell me who decides. Follow through when you say you will.”

Reimagining AI for Better Communication

Despite current frustrations, job seekers see potential upside in automated recruiting tools if deployed thoughtfully. When asked about the top benefits of AI in frontline hiring, 24% pointed to reduced decision-making bias, 22% cited faster hiring processes, and 15% highlighted more consistent updates throughout the candidate journey.