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As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to become a part of day-to-day life, Americans are starting to define where they’d prefer to draw the line.
A survey by Talker Research conducted from October 21-24 asked 1,000 U.S. adults about their comfort level with AI in job hiring. The results were clear: 43 percent of respondents said they felt uncomfortable with AI conducting job interviews, while only 32 percent expressed comfort, and 26 percent were unsure.
The survey revealed generational divides in attitudes toward AI in hiring. Generation Z (ages 18-27) showed the highest comfort level, with 49 percent open to AI-led interviews, while only 20 percent of baby boomers (ages 60-78) and 22 percent of the Silent Generation (ages 78-98) felt the same. Generation X (ages 44-59) also showed hesitance, with just 30 percent feeling comfortable.
Despite these reservations, the survey underscores that AI tools are increasingly making their way into the hiring process, with companies using them to streamline initial screening. But can AI ever truly take over the interview process?
Can AI Conduct Job Interviews?
Philip Gjørup, co-founder of Nord Comms, sees potential for AI to aid in hiring.
“I believe it is very likely that AI will be used for job interviews in the near future, as companies can train AI to identify precisely the attributes and qualifications they seek,” he told Newsweek.
AI could speed up and improve recruitment by quickly scanning for specific skills, experiences, and personality traits.
Lars Nyman, chief marketing officer of CUDO Compute, echoed this sentiment, noting that AI is already embedded in recruitment processes, analyzing resumes and assessing initial fit.
“The leap to AI-led interviews was only a matter of time,” Nyman told Newsweek. However, he added that job interviews are inherently personal, requiring the kind of nuanced interpersonal skills that current AI still struggles to interpret.
“That said, it’s unlikely that AI will completely replace human interviewers—at least for now,” Gjørup said.
AI’s growing role in recruitment raises concerns among Americans about accuracy and the dehumanizing aspect of an algorithm deciding one’s career potential.
“The discomfort stems from a fundamental fear of dehumanization and loss of dignity; it’s akin to pitching your life story to a vending machine,” said Nyman.
For many, interacting with AI is still a relatively new experience, and adjusting to AI-driven interviews might require more time and exposure.
Nyman explained: “Certain AI applications, like scheduling or data analysis, are welcomed because they simplify life without stripping it of its human touch. In contrast, when AI steps into roles requiring empathy and judgment, like job interviews, the reception is chillier.”