Shopping for new solutions after HR Tech? Following the event, many companies are eager to explore new recruiting solutions, but the world of hiring tech is shifting fast. AI is evolving at breakneck speed, regulators in some jurisdictions are racing to catch up with new rules … and lawsuits are looming. 

The ongoing discrimination case against Workday, for instance, shines a spotlight on the future of AI in hiring, raising thinking points for employers that rely on third-party recruiting platforms.

At the heart of the Mobley v. Workday case is whether AI-powered screening tools can unintentionally discriminate against certain groups of job seekers, creating “disparate impact” claims under employment law, according to a blog post by lawyer and HR consultant Bryan Driscoll.

Melanie Ronen, chair of the employment practice at law firm Stradley Ronon, says employers need to know exactly how AI in hiring tools works. “Employers utilizing third-party recruiting platforms should understand what screening tools are being used and how,” she explains.

Ronen urges companies to closely review the role of AI in these processes and to make sure regular audits are in place to test for bias.

AI in hiring. What is HR’s responsibility?

Talent assessment firm Criteria Corp’s survey of 350-plus hiring professionals from around the world found 32% of hiring pros now use AI in recruitment, up 33% year-over-year. As new innovations hit the market, which will likely cause this figure to rise, organizations aren’t just charged with understanding the technology; they also must protect the business.

Ronen recommends that HR leaders examine their contracts with third-party providers and tech vendors, ensuring they include indemnification provisions. She says these clauses can help shield companies from liability if AI-driven tools create legal trouble.

At last week’s HR Tech conference, where many vendors showcased their latest AI in hiring tools, the topic was impossible to ignore. Many providers were fielding pointed questions from potential buyers about how their algorithms work and what safeguards are in place to prevent bias.

For HR leaders, the Workday lawsuit may serve as a landmark. It is a reminder that organizations will need to scrutinize how AI systems are built, validated and monitored to balance innovation with fairness and compliance.

As the conversations at HR Tech made clear, the future of AI in hiring isn’t just about faster algorithms or sleeker platforms. It’s about accountability, transparency and foresight. Driscoll points out that defensibility is built on solid processes. He says employers that integrate AI as a collaborative tool, rather than a decision-maker, will be best positioned to justify and stand behind their hiring decisions.

HR tech in the news

Coursera, a global online learning platform, launched Skill Tracks to help companies map job roles in data, IT, product and software, and gen AI to in-demand skills. Backed by real-time labor data, the program features curated content from Google, Microsoft, Yale and Stanford.

Asana’s Work Innovation Lab found workers expect AI to handle 34% of their workload within a year, jumping to 43% in three years, but only 27% feel prepared today. The survey polled 2,025 U.S. and U.K. workers.

Visier, a workforce analytics company, launched its Manager Agent at HR Tech 2025, offering always-on support to frontline managers. It also introduced a new organizational design framework to help companies make smarter workforce planning and transformation decisions.

HR platform isolved announced a partnership with Indeed Talent Scout to streamline hiring and launched Benefits Guidance to simplify open enrollment. It also released research showing that advisors are becoming vital workforce strategy partners.

KPMG’s fresh survey shows 90% of companies have moved past experimenting with AI agents, with deployment tripling in recent months. Leaders now view agents as strategic partners, though only 8% of boards have strong AI expertise.

Konnect, an HR services firm, launched Sophie, its AI-powered assistant to handle tasks like onboarding and performance review questions. Sophie frees HR teams to focus on strategy while improving employee experience with instant, accurate responses.

Autonomous ride-hailing service Waymo is expanding through Waymo for Business, partnering with companies, schools and event organizers to offer reliable, around-the-clock transportation.

Phenom, an AI-driven HR tech company, unveiled a fraud detection agent to fight fake candidates, resume fabrication and AI-generated responses. Phenom research predicts that fake applicants will represent one in four job seekers by 2028.

More HR tech in the news

Glassdoor announced its 2025 list of the 50 Best-Led Companies, recognizing leadership teams fostering transparency and vision. This comes as nearly two-thirds of workers feel stuck in their careers with limited growth opportunities, according to Glassdoor researchers.

ServiceNow’s global workforce report predicts massive tech job growth, with India adding 2.86 million roles and the U.S. growing by 36%. AI adoption is accelerating, but companies aren’t hiring governance talent fast enough to keep up.

Human Interest launched Audit Relief to simplify annual 401(k) audits. The solution streamlines data collection, cutting costs and stress for plan sponsors while improving accuracy and efficiency for retirement plan compliance.

Capital Rx rebranded as Judi Health after securing $400 million in funding. Its platform unifies pharmacy, medical, vision and dental claims, aimed to help employers self-insure with simplified health benefit management.

Netigate, a European experience management SaaS company, acquired Mopinion, a digital feedback provider. The merger combines Netigate’s analytics with Mopinion’s real-time feedback tech, strengthening services for clients like Spotify, Lufthansa and Vodafone.

Workforce management platform Legion surveyed 1,200 hourly workers and found that flexibility is the top priority for 61% of respondents. Recognition and early wage access are also rising in importance.

Aptia launched AptiaOne, a benefits management platform using automation and data insights designed to help organizations deliver, manage and measure employee benefits more effectively.

WTW’s new survey shows U.S. healthcare costs are set to rise by 9.1% in 2026 before plan adjustments. This marks the steepest increase in over 20 years. The study found that employers are evaluating disruptive changes to control escalating healthcare expenses.

HR tech people moves

Rula Health, a behavioral health provider, added three executives to its leadership team, including Linda Lee as chief people officer. She will focus on enhancing culture, developing talent and fostering an inclusive workplace for employee growth.

More from HR Executive

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