At our CHRO Summit in Tampa, where senior HR leaders convened to tackle today’s most urgent workforce challenges, one conversation cut straight to the heart of talent risk in the AI age. My discussion with Steve Sanders, Senior Director of Enterprise Sales at Checkr, revealed a disruptive trend that’s reshaping how enterprises must approach hiring in the age of AI. 

The Rise of the Fake Applicant 

Artificial intelligence has undoubtedly unlocked new efficiencies across hiring pipelines. But it’s also opened the door to a troubling development: AI-generated fraud.

According to Gartner, by 2028, one in every four job applicants could be fake, complete with forged documentation, deepfake interviews, and entirely synthetic identities.

“People are forging documentation,” Sanders noted. “1 out of 4 people, by 2028, is actually going to be a fake or fraudulent applicant.” 

This isn’t résumé inflation or white lies. It’s identity fabrication at scale. And the tools used to commit it are becoming more advanced, cheaper, and harder to detect through legacy screening methods.

Fighting AI with AI 

The solution, Sanders believes, involves meeting fire with fire. “As AI is being used to create more applicants, fake applicants, fraudulent applicants, we’re using AI then to turn around and protect those individuals,” he said. 

Checkr, which has evolved from its origins as a background check provider into a comprehensive AI-powered data platform, is at the forefront of this defensive evolution.  

The Broader Challenge for HR Leaders 

This emerging threat represents just one facet of the broader AI challenges that surfaced during discussions at our Summit. HR leaders are simultaneously trying to harness AI’s potential for enabling better decisions while also protecting their organizations from AI-powered pitfalls like fraud. It’s a delicate balance that demands both robust technology partnerships and a human-centered compliance mindset.

Reliable, transparent data is the foundation. Sanders called it “fair and safe data” – data that empowers action while supporting evolving compliance, DEI mandates, and brand trust.

Looking Ahead 

The takeaway from our Summit was clear: the future of HR isn’t about resisting AI, it’s about using it responsibly and defensively to build stronger, more authentic workforces.

As fraud grows more sophisticated, so must the systems we use to counter it. HR leaders who prioritize intelligent partnerships, defensible data, and proactive risk mitigation will not only safeguard their organizations – they’ll set the standard for modern talent acquisition.

Join our upcoming CHRO Summit to be part of more conversations like this!