Experts Say AI Is to Become a Mandatory Tool in Hiring by 2026
The toughest competition is expected in fields where work can be easily automated.
Career experts at hh.ru have outlined what job seekers can expect in 2026 and how artificial intelligence continues to reshape the labor market.
According to Lyubov Gorovaya, AI will become a mandatory recruitment tool in 2026. Automation will affect initial resume screening, matching candidates’ skills with job requirements, and forecasting the success of hires.
The career consultant stressed that it is increasingly important for candidates to demonstrate skills that are difficult to automate, including critical thinking, communication, negotiation, and the ability to work under uncertainty.
Uneven Competition
As the labor market continues to be shaped by the import substitution program, digital transformation of processes, and the restructuring of production and logistics chains, a specific set of in-demand professions is emerging. According to Gorovaya’s forecast, the largest number of vacancies in 2026 will be in cybersecurity, logistics, industry, healthcare, and pharmaceuticals.
Another expert, Svetlana Kondratyeva, added that the highest competition is expected in areas where processes are easiest to automate. These include content creation and copywriting, traditional accounting, and entry-level IT roles. In these fields, the number of candidates significantly exceeds the number of open positions, while employer requirements continue to rise.
