AI Bots Are Conducting Job Interviews—But Candidates Miss the Human Touch

An AI Bot Might Be Asking the Questions at Your Next Job Interview

More companies are turning to artificial intelligence to streamline recruitment. AI hiring bots now screen, shortlist, and even conduct interviews with job candidates. While recruiters appreciate the efficiency, some candidates feel uneasy about being evaluated by machines and miss the human connection.

Real Experience: An Interview with an AI Bot

Wafa Shafiq, a 26-year-old marketing candidate from Mississauga, Ont., recently interviewed with an AI bot named Alex, powered by Aprioria software. The bot asked about her experience and followed up on her answers during a 30-minute session. Shafiq was surprised by the quality of the follow-up questions, saying her expectations were initially low.

Despite some glitches, she appreciated the flexibility of scheduling the interview anytime—even late at night. However, Shafiq wished there was clearer communication about how her responses would be evaluated and missed the personal touch of a human recruiter. There was no small talk, no real-time feedback, and no follow-up after the interview.

How AI Interview Bots Are Being Used

Canadian companies like Ribbon, an AI-interviewer software provider, have quickly gained traction. CEO Arsham Ghahramani shared that a year ago people doubted the idea, but now Ribbon serves over 400 customers. The AI was trained using public interview and voice datasets to ask relevant questions and show appropriate emotion.

However, not all candidates feel comfortable. Maureen Green, a health technology consultant from Vancouver, was interviewed by a healthcare company’s AI bot. Although the AI felt conversational and attentive, her interview ran over an hour due to repeated follow-up questions without clear closure. Green never heard back and felt the process was impersonal and taxing.

Balancing Efficiency and the Human Element

Elena McGuire, Director of People at Thrive Career Wellness, points out that AI interviews offer flexibility, especially for companies hiring internationally or filling multiple roles. Using Ribbon, they can schedule interviews in multiple languages and quickly narrow down thousands of applicants.

McGuire stresses that AI is a tool to assist HR professionals, not replace them. The AI provides summaries and scores based on company criteria, but the hiring decisions remain with recruiters. This helps avoid overlooking qualified candidates or focusing too narrowly on technical details.

Mike Shekhtman of Robert Half advises caution, emphasizing the importance of ensuring AI tools don’t miss promising candidates. Still, he acknowledges that companies need to adopt technology to keep pace with hiring demands.

Concerns and Skepticism from Candidates

Terri Griffith, an innovation and entrepreneurship expert, notes that AI interviews have yet to excite candidates. Many see it as a joke that both applicants and recruiters rely on AI during the hiring process.

Trust remains a big hurdle. Candidates like Green urge companies to be thoughtful and respectful when introducing AI to recruitment. She hopes organizations will earn trust by improving the technology and its implementation instead of rushing to adopt it.

Key Takeaways for HR Professionals

• Communicate Clearly: Inform candidates upfront if AI will be part of the interview process and explain how it works.
• Maintain Human Connection: Use AI to handle initial screening but keep humans involved for meaningful interactions.
• Be Transparent About Evaluation: Share how candidate responses will be assessed and provide feedback when possible.
• Use AI as a Tool: Let AI assist with efficiency but avoid relying solely on automated scores for hiring decisions.
• Respect Candidate Experience: Be mindful of interview length and avoid making AI interactions feel impersonal or frustrating.

AI bots in interviews are here to stay, but their success depends on how thoughtfully they are integrated into recruitment. For HR professionals looking to stay current, exploring AI training and tools can provide valuable insight. Check out Complete AI Training for courses on how AI is shaping hiring and other HR functions.