Google is taking action to address the use of AI by candidates to cheat during virtual interviews, a growing concern in the tech industry. To counter this trend, Google has decided to bring back in-person interviews as part of its hiring process, ensuring a more reliable evaluation of applicants’ skills. The shift comes as a response to the evolving landscape of online hiring, which saw a surge in virtual interviews post-COVID-19.
During an internal meeting, Google employees raised concerns about candidates using AI to answer questions and complete assessments. Brian Ong, Google’s VP of Recruiting, confirmed the company’s plans to address this issue, recognizing that online interviews, while efficient, sometimes lacked the authenticity of in-person interactions. A key element of the new approach will be the requirement of at least one round of one-to-one interviews, particularly for positions involving hands-on evaluations like coding. Sundar Pichai highlighted the importance of this step in verifying core competencies. Google’s initiative reflects the growing awareness of AI-assisted cheating in virtual hiring processes, with other companies also reporting similar concerns.