of Kandis Edwards

November 13, 2024

AI avatars now conduct job interviews.

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The use of artificial intelligence is on the rise. One of the newest applications of AI is interviewing job applicants. Some people are bothered.

404 Average reported on one interviewee’s experience with the technology. Jack Ryan was an unimpressed interviewee when it came to talking to non-humans.

In a short clip online, Ryan was spotted talking to an AI “female” avatar on a webcam.

The red-haired avatar prompts Ryan to answer the interview questions in a specific way to help the technology process.

“I find it helpful when candidates tell me a story when answering questions.”

The tech continues with standard interview questions, “I’m looking for examples of your work experience.”

Ryan is apparently uncomfortable with the interaction. He worries that, as a disabled person, he might not get a fair shake without human interaction. Ryan believes that being evaluated solely on answers can immediately disqualify some candidates like himself. The applicant spoke of his fear when answering questions about his health.

“As someone with a disability who relies on remote work, I’m already worried about openly stating that I’m disabled on the forms that companies put at the end of job applications,” he explained to 404. “To add an AI component to this mix, I imagine, would have the opposite effect (diversity, equity and inclusion).”

Ryan’s concerns are valid because the public has little data available on how using AI in this way affects potential workers.

On the opposite side of the spectrum, a social media user posted about applicants using AI to answer interview questions. Since many jobs still offer human-to-human interaction, the user cautions against using AI for an interview.

The post highlights the importance of intonation and facial features as indicators that employers use to decide on a potential new hire. The caption reads like a message to applicants:

Dear applicants:

“We can tell when you’re reading straight from a script you created for yourself during the interview and it’s awkward. We want to hire a real person and hear you actually speak on the fly with words and cadence from your own brain.”

Dear applicants:

We can tell when you’re reading straight from a script you created for yourself during the interview and it’s awkward.

We want to hire a real person and hear you really speak on the fly with words and cadence from your own brain. Thank you

— (@WorldwideBOSS_4) November 12, 2024

AI technology seems to be here to stay. Technology is now being used to summarize college courses, create notes, write Sports Illustrated articles and function as personal assistants, among other things. Maybe it’s time to stop resisting and get on board.

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