TLDR: Academics and industry experts are raising alarms about the escalating threat of AI-generated deepfakes to human resources and hiring integrity. With generative AI making deepfakes increasingly sophisticated, a significant rise in fake job candidates is anticipated, potentially reaching one in four by 2028. This poses a ‘perfect storm’ for HR, as current detection tools are often insufficient, necessitating stronger human oversight and vetting processes.
The integrity of human resources and hiring processes is facing an unprecedented challenge from the proliferation of AI-generated deepfakes, according to warnings from academics and industry advisory firms. Dr. Toby Murray, Professor of Computing and Information Systems at the University of Melbourne, highlighted the growing sophistication of this technology, stating, ‘The technology has gotten good enough to fool people already.’
Research from advisory firm Gartner supports this concern, projecting a significant increase in AI-generated deepfake applicants, potentially accounting for one in four job candidates globally by 2028. Generative AI (GenAI) is making these deepfakes remarkably advanced, capable of mimicking facial expressions, blinking patterns, and subtle micromovements with uncanny accuracy, thereby confounding even advanced detection algorithms.
This development creates a ‘perfect storm’ for HR departments, especially as companies increasingly automate parts of the hiring process using AI. Murray cautioned, ‘If the tech is good enough to fake people and it’s also being used to screen people, then you’ve got a perfect storm. You can’t take the human out of the loop.’ He emphasized that most tools claiming to detect deepfakes or AI-generated content are not foolproof. The most effective approach, he suggests, involves a combination of robust education for hiring managers, stringent vetting processes, and critical human oversight throughout the recruitment cycle.
Beyond job candidates, deepfakes are also being used to impersonate company executives, leading to financial scams and social engineering attacks. Andrew Bud, CEO of iProov, a biometric verification company, noted that while 57% of surveyed individuals believe they can easily distinguish real videos from deepfakes, fewer than one in four can accurately detect high-quality fakes, underscoring the deceptive nature of this technology. Michael Marcotte, CEO of artius.iD, warned that HR departments are particularly vulnerable due to their access to extensive personal and corporate data. A notable incident in July 2024 involved KnowBe4, a security awareness training provider, where an applicant using a stolen, AI-enhanced photo successfully completed four video interviews and background checks before installing malware post-onboarding.
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Experts stress the critical need for proactive identity verification processes to combat these AI-driven tactics. ‘If you haven’t experienced AI-based impersonation attacks yet, it’s likely only a matter of time—preparation is essential,’ advised Jon Penland, COO of Kinsta. The consensus among experts is that human vigilance and robust, multi-layered security protocols are indispensable in safeguarding the integrity of hiring and corporate communications against the evolving threat of AI deepfakes.
