As companies increasingly turn to artificial intelligence to streamline hiring processes, job seekers are finding themselves face-to-face — or screen-to-screen — with AI interviewers, often without warning. While businesses tout the efficiency of automated interviews, many candidates are reporting experiences that feel impersonal, disorienting, and even unsettling.
Kendall McGill of Baltimore recalls one such moment when she signed on for a job interview, only to realise within seconds that she was speaking to an AI. “It was a standard AI voice,” she said. “I can’t say that I felt upset; it just made me uncomfortable.” She ended the call.
Her experience reflects a growing trend: employers using AI agents to schedule, screen, and even conduct interviews. According to a recent Resume Now report, 96% of U.S. hiring professionals surveyed use AI in some part of the recruitment process, and nearly three-quarters say it speeds up hiring.
However, candidates say the shift toward automation often lacks transparency. Wafa Shafiq, based in Mississauga, Canada, found herself speaking with “Alex from Apriora”—an AI agent—during a marketing interview. While she described the experience as “cold but efficient,” she noted the absence of small talk and human connection. “A heads-up would have made a big difference,” she added.
Career expert Keith Spencer from Resume Now agrees that candidates should be clearly informed when they’re interacting with AI. “The hiring process is also the first impression of a company’s culture,” he said. “Transparency matters.”
Some experts warn that over-reliance on AI could have more serious implications. Professor Matthew Bidwell of the Wharton School raised concerns about potential racial or gender biases embedded in AI models and the risks of machines both interviewing and evaluating candidates. “That feels quite alarming,” he said.
Meanwhile, candidates are increasingly using AI themselves. Eric Lu, co-founder of the video-editing platform Kapwing, recalled an applicant who appeared competent at first — until technical questions revealed cracks in their understanding. Lu suspects the candidate had used AI to prepare scripted answers in advance. “It raises important questions about how interviews should evolve in the age of AI,” he said.
With both employers and candidates leveraging AI, Spencer says ethical use is critical. “AI should support your work—not replace it,” he said.
As the job market adjusts to this new reality, industry leaders and policymakers may soon be called upon to set clearer boundaries on how AI is used in hiring. For now, one thing is clear: the future of job interviews may be efficient, but it’s far from personal.
