The Influence of Artificial Intelligence on Recruitment and Selection Practices: Evidence from KPMG East Africa

This study examines the influence of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies on recruitment and selection processes at KPMG East Africa, focusing on their impact on efficiency, candidate experience, and ethical and regulatory considerations. Employing a case study design, data were collected from 50 human resource (HR) professionals using structured questionnaires. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple linear regression analyses were conducted using SPSS. The findings indicate that AI technologies exert a strong, statistically significant positive effect on recruitment outcomes (r = 0.695, p < 0.01), while candidate experience also contributes significantly (r = 0.340, p < 0.05). Regulatory and ethical considerations, however, exhibited a non-significant relationship with recruitment outcomes (r = 0.277, p = 0.052). The regression model explained 54% of the variance in recruitment and selection outcomes (R² = 0.54, F = 17.985, p < 0.001). These results suggest that while AI substantially enhances hiring efficiency and candidate satisfaction, ethical governance frameworks remain underdeveloped in the Kenyan professional services context. The study contributes to the growing body of knowledge on technology-driven human resource management in sub-Saharan Africa and provides practical recommendations for responsible AI integration in recruitment.