Automotive companies are keeping an eye on how AI is changing the job application and hiring processes.  

Used-car retailer DriveTime, for example, is employing AI to improve efficiencies, remaining mindful of challenges the technology can bring when it comes to hiring, Robyn Jordan, head of people, culture and engagement, said in a Jan. 22 session during the American Financial Services Association 2025 Vehicle Finance Conference in New Orleans. 

“AI is wonderful. We’ve got a lot of initiatives focused around it on the customer journey and the customer experience,” she said. AI is going “to allow our employees to do meaningful work, while we can streamline some of the [tasks that are] manual that bring employee satisfaction down.” 

DriveTime has approximately 5,000 employees in the United States, Jordan said. It was the 42nd-largest auto lender by outstandings at yearend 2023 with a portfolio of $4.5 billion, according to the latest Big Wheels Rankings data. 

AI applications create challenges

While AI is helping in operations, from a human resources perspective, the influx of AI-driven applications can make it difficult to weed out legitimate job seekers, she said.  

“We’re fighting the bots,” Jordan said. “We’ve got big roles we’ve got to fill, and we’re getting bots applying to those jobs. We posted a role, and normally we’d get 50 to 75 candidates, and now we’ve got 2,000. Our recruiters are sorting through who’s real and who’s not. We’ve had people show up to interviews and then a different person show up on the first day.” 

“We’re fighting the bots. We’ve got big roles we’ve got to fill, and we’re getting bots applying to those jobs.” — Robyn Jordan, DriveTime

Recruiters now must note the nuances in applications to identify when an application might be merging information from multiple people, Jordan said. AI helps DriveTime screen applications, she said. 

“We use AI in a lot of spaces, and we have in HR for a long time,” Jordan said. “There are bots embedded on our career site that help answer questions. When the conversation gets to the point where it needs to intersect with a human, it will redirect to a recruiter to have that conversation.” 

GM Financial eyes skill sets, mobility 

The rise of AI use in businesses has also created competition for securing talent for roles with specific skill sets, Erik Haven, executive vice president and chief human resources officer at GM Financial, said during the session.  

“We went through a period of time, particularly with technology jobs and all the things we talked about with bringing AI to our customer base and embedding in our business processes. That was difficult,” he said. “Everyone seemed to be looking for the same software development engineers, lots of focus on cybersecurity, and it was a bidding war for the talent.  

“While a lot of that has calmed down … it’s still, in spots, difficult for us to find niche skill sets, not just within the auto finance industry, but across different industries.” 

GM Financial, the captive finance arm of General Motors, has approximately 9,000 employees globally, mainly in the U.S., Haven said. The lender has emphasized internal mobility and helping employees build careers within the company, he said.  

“When we go to the market [to hire] we’re [doing so] very intentionally,” Haven said. “For us, that’s been a winning proposition for a long time.” 

Companies must consider which skill sets are needed for today’s jobs, Haven said. 

“Changes in technology and what AI means from a business standpoint [and] how that translates to talent is on our minds,” — Erik Haven, GM Financial

“Changes in technology and what AI means from a business standpoint [and] how that translates to talent is on our minds, whether that impacts the way we look at workforce planning [or] at skills that are our team members need,” he said. 

GM Financial’s portfolio stood at $105.4 billion in the third quarter of 2024, up 2.5% year over year. The captive was the third-largest auto lender by outstandings volume at yearend 2023, according to the latest Big Wheels Rankings data. 

Editor’s note: This article first appeared on Auto Finance News, a sister publication to Bank Automation News.