🔍 Google Revamps Tech Hiring: In-Person Interviews Return to Curb AI Cheating

Silicon Valley, — In a decisive move to uphold hiring integrity, Google has announced the return of in-person interviews for technical roles, including software engineering and programming. The decision comes amid growing concerns over candidates using AI tools to gain unfair advantages during virtual coding assessments.

Speaking on the issue, CEO Sundar Pichai emphasized the need to preserve core competencies in the age of artificial intelligence. “We are making sure that with the advent of AI, we still hire people who have strong computer science fundamentals and can do the job well,” he said.

Google confirmed that at least one round of face-to-face interviews will now be mandatory for all technical positions.

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AI Cheating Triggers Policy Shift

Internal reports suggest that over 50% of candidates in some virtual interviews were suspected of using off-camera AI tools to solve coding problems. This has made it increasingly difficult for recruiters to assess genuine skill and problem-solving ability.

The shift back to real-time, supervised evaluations is aimed at restoring trust in the recruitment process and ensuring that hires possess the technical depth required for high-impact roles.

Industry-Wide Crackdown on AI Misuse

Google is not alone in its response. Several leading tech and consulting firms have also taken steps to combat AI-assisted cheating:

• Amazon now requires candidates to sign a formal declaration against unauthorized AI use.
• Anthropic has implemented a strict ban on AI tools during the application process.
• Cisco and McKinsey have reinstated on-site interviews for select roles.
• Deloitte has brought back in-person assessments for its UK graduate program.

While remote hiring has been a cost-effective and scalable solution, companies are now prioritizing authentic skill evaluation over convenience.

The Bigger Picture

As AI tools become more accessible and sophisticated, the challenge of maintaining fairness in recruitment grows. For companies like Google, the focus is shifting from speed to substance—ensuring that new hires are not just tech-savvy, but truly capable of building and innovating in complex environments.

The move signals a broader industry trend: AI may be transforming the workplace, but human fundamentals still matter.

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