Candidates use AI to send more applications, but employers report suspected misconduct

Graduates are turning to AI to write CVs, cover letters and application answers, as well as to send multiple applications at once — a practice known as “spray and pray”. Tom, 22, told the BBC he applied for more than 200 jobs and used the technology to find keywords, but not during assessments or interviews.

A survey by the Institute of Student Employers (ISE) of 155 major UK graduate employers found that companies were becoming more accepting of AI use at some stages, especially for CVs and cover letters. Still, 92% said they had encountered or suspected AI-related “misconduct”, up from 85% the previous year. At EDF, 12,000 applications led to the early closure of its graduate recruitment process, a 10% increase from the previous year; the company says AI may have contributed to the volume and is trying to make its process more resistant to the technology.