In August, we discussed whether AI recruiter interviews are becoming candidate preferred. The data said yes. In a field experiment with 70,000 job candidates, economists found that 78% of candidates given the choice picked an AI voice interview over a human recruiter (Voice AI in Firms, SSRN, 2025).

But here’s the disconnect: 44% of job seekers view employers’ use of AI negatively, while only 22% view it positively. iHire’s 2026 State of Online Recruiting report calls it a trust gap, and AI is part of the story.

So which is it? Do candidates want AI interviews, or do they distrust AI hiring?