Will You Impress the Machines? AI “Interviewers” Enter the Market

AI is now insidiously gaining ground in the interview process, causing controversy.

Rise of AI in Job Interviews: A Double-Edged Sword

Companies are increasingly using AI for job interviews, promising to reduce bias and streamline the hiring process. These systems employ large language models (LLMs) to conduct interviews, generating follow-up questions based on candidate responses. While proponents highlight AI’s neutrality, critics argue that the opaque nature of these models raises concerns about hidden biases. For instance, Floria Tan’s experience with an AI interviewer at Meituan felt impersonal and mechanical, illustrating the technology’s current limitations.

Global Adoption and Scepticism

AI-driven interviews are gaining traction globally, with companies like Siemens, China Mobile, and Estee Lauder in China, and platforms like Talently.ai and Instahyre in India, adopting these systems. A survey by ResumeBuilder found that 10% of U.S. companies already use AI for hiring, with another 30% planning to do so. Despite claims of efficiency and fairness, experts warn about potential biases embedded in the training data. The lack of transparency in AI decision-making processes remains a significant concern.

Any Real Applicability in the Pacific?

Some candidates are turning to AI tools to navigate AI-driven interviews. For example, Shanghai-based Carlos Chen’s Whisper Interview service uses GPT-4 to help applicants craft responses in real-time, highlighting a counter-trend of using AI to beat AI. At this point, however, there is less incentive for Pacific firms to use such services, as the HR market is infinitely smaller than most of the main markets where these are implemented.

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*An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story.