AI Takes the Interview Chair: Candidate Claims Bot Conducted Job Screening
In a development that highlights the rapidly evolving role of artificial intelligence in professional settings, a Reddit user has made startling claims about experiencing a fully automated job interview conducted by an AI bot. The post, which quickly went viral, has sparked intense discussions about transparency and ethics in modern recruitment processes.
The candidate, sharing their experience on the r/interviews subreddit on November 9, 2025, described receiving what appeared to be a standard email invitation for an online interview. Nothing in the initial communication suggested anything unusual about the upcoming meeting.
The Unsettling Interview Experience
"I clicked the link. The video popped up, and there was my interviewer. She smiled, nodded, and asked questions," the user recounted in their post. However, the candidate soon began noticing subtle anomalies that raised suspicions about the interviewer's true nature.
According to the detailed account, the interviewer exhibited mechanical behavior patterns including excessive head bobbing that seemed repetitive and minor facial twitches occurring at regular intervals. Initially dismissing these as potential internet connectivity issues, the candidate continued with the interview process.
The real revelation came during the question-and-answer segment. "Then we dive into the questions. I answered, she responded, but the way she talked… it's too perfect. No hesitation, no 'uh'," the user wrote, describing the unnaturally smooth and scripted nature of the conversation.
The Moment of Truth and Ethical Questions
Growing increasingly suspicious, the candidate decided to test their theory by turning the tables and asking the interviewer a question: "Why do you think this role matters?" The response, while coherent, further confirmed their doubts about interacting with artificial intelligence rather than a human recruiter.
The user reported additional evidence when the screen briefly froze and then resumed too seamlessly, unlike typical video call interruptions. "I'm not against AI in hiring, but if an interviewer is basically a talking bot, shouldn't candidates at least be told?" the Reddit user questioned, highlighting the core ethical concern about transparency in automated recruitment processes.
Viral Reaction and Industry Implications
The post quickly gained significant traction, attracting numerous comments from job seekers, HR professionals, and technology enthusiasts. The discussion revealed divided opinions about the role of AI in recruitment.
One user commented: "If the interviewer can be AI then candidates should also be allowed to use AI to match the energy," pointing to potential double standards in the hiring process.
Another user noted: "AI interviewer is nothing new, I think I saw one video where AI interviewers suddenly interview between themselves mid-interview, leaving the jobseeker dumbfounded, it was gold."
Perhaps most telling was the reaction from an HR professional who expressed concern: "As an HR, this really scared me! I've always thought doing interviews could never be replaced with AI since it will always need the interaction, the human touch. But hearing this, it's scary!"
The viral incident raises important questions about the future of recruitment and the ethical boundaries of AI implementation in hiring processes. As organizations increasingly incorporate artificial intelligence into their operations, this case highlights the growing need for clear guidelines and transparency when automated systems interact with human job candidates.
