AI in Interviews: Cheating or not Cheating - Path of the Technological Acceptance

Recently, I came across an interesting post by James Wilson, a specialist in AI and machine learning recruitment. He raised an issue that feels very relevant in today’s tech world: the use of AI during technical interviews.

James pointed out that some candidates might be using generative AI tools to assist with their responses in interviews, and this has led to some interesting debates about the ethical use of AI in these high-stakes situations. Link

This made me think. While we are discussing AI in interviews today, I don’t believe what we are experiencing is entirely new. In fact, this seems to be a familiar path that every new tool or idea takes on its way to mainstream acceptance.

The Same Story, Different Era

This phase of hesitation and reluctance we’re seeing with AI reminds me of the early days of Microsoft Excel in the 1980s. Back then, finance professionals were hesitant to openly rely on Excel for calculations. There was a fear that using this tool might undermine their expertise or make them appear less knowledgeable. It took time for people to realize that Excel was not a shortcut undermining intellect but a tool that enhanced efficiency and accuracy. Fast forward to today, and we can’t imagine working in finance or accounting without Excel.

It’s essential.

The Calculator Parallel

There’s another example that highlights this same transition: the introduction of calculators in academic and professional fields.

When calculators were first introduced, there was a similar sense of embarrassment around using them. It felt like cheating, especially when complex math was seen as a direct measure of one’s intellect. Over time, however, the stigma around calculators disappeared, and they became a standard tool for performing calculations. The initial resistance faded away, and today, no one questions the legitimacy of using a calculator in academic or professional settings.

We are now witnessing the same process with AI. We are trying to balance the efficiency AI provides with the desire to prove our personal knowledge and expertise. This transition is something we need to navigate not only in the workplace but also in how we evaluate and interview candidates. The selection process itself must evolve to accommodate this new reality.

The Fear of Undermining Ourselves

The other side of the conversation is about the mindset of developers and professionals when it comes to openly using AI. It’s not entirely clear whether there’s a true conflict of interest here, but the fear and feeling certainly exist. Managers and stakeholders are already recognizing the cost-saving potential of AI: fewer developers may be needed, and projects could be completed faster. This naturally raises concerns among developers about whether using AI is, in some way, cutting the tree from under their own feet.

There’s a tension between embracing the technology to make our work more efficient and fearing that by doing so, we might be making ourselves less essential. It’s a delicate balance between proving your worth as an individual professional and integrating the tools that are becoming a vital part of the tech landscape.

Conclusion

We are at a turning point where the tech world is slowly moving toward a future where AI is embedded in almost every aspect of work, including interviews. Just as it was with Excel and calculators, we’re facing a period of transition, one that will eventually lead to AI being openly accepted as a tool rather than a crutch.

In the meantime, there’s a real feeling of uncertainty and potential conflict of interest. Developers, and professionals in general, are still figuring out how to adopt AI without undermining their own expertise or job security. But if history has taught us anything, it’s that this path of acceptance is inevitable, and eventually, AI will simply be part of how we work and demonstrate our skills.

Links:

History Of Excel: https://tomasz-kandula.medium.com/the-history-of-excel-f621c5a94f38

History of Calculators: https://edtechmagazine.com/k12/article/2012/11/calculating-firsts-visual-history-calculators

Ai Policy: https://www.kent.edu/today/news/adding-ai-cheating-and-plagiarism-policy