Tech CEO discovers job candidate used AI during interview, refuses to hire them: 'It was dishonest... We will not be moving forward with the hiring process'

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Remy Millisky • Writer and Editor
Sep 19, 2025 11:00 AM EDT

People are getting awfully comfortable using AI all the time, but there are still limits to when and where it should be utilized. 

We see this all the time in schools, where kids can't help but try to use AI to write their papers for them. They talk to AI on their phones for simple questions, advice, or just for company. And apparently a lot of adults have gotten quite used to AI as well. Some use it to write their grocery lists for the week or write out the emails that they can't be bothered to write themselves. 

And now, AI has infiltrated the workplace. There aren't hard and fast rules for this kind of thing yet. Like, if you want to use AI to brainstorm, that's okay, right? Or if you want to use it to summarize emails, that should be acceptable, correct? It totally depends on your industry, your bosses, and your workplace culture. 

But I hope we can all agree that using AI doesn't exactly showcase your abilities. So why would you use it in a job interview? This employee realized a potential hire had used AI, and quickly told them off for this indiscretion. Some people thought that the employee could've doled out a second chance, but others were shaking their heads at the idea that any job interviewee would have a chance if they used AI in front of a hiring manager. You can check out the full email below and see for yourself what you would do if you were in that employee's shoes. 

Next up, read about the secrets that people are hiding from their spouses for good reasons, like one person who can't tell their S.O. they "you're turning into your mother." 

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  • 01
    I'm hiring a founding engineer, and a candidate was using Al during the intro interview. When I realized my heart sank.
    via @jarrenrocks
  • 02
    It was dishonest, but it was more sad that they felt desperate enough that they couldn't do it on their own (despite their impressive CV).
    via @jarrenrocks
  • 03
    Hey We will not be moving forward with the hiring process. You should not use Al in an interview. I understand that looking for a job may feel like a numbers game (I've been there too), but I'd hoped that it would have been clear that when the CEO is doing the interviews it is a very personal decision (especially for a founding engineer).
    via @jarrenrocks
  • 04
    Man sits at black desk with hands folded and looks seriously at woman in front of him, she has medium brown hair, is wearing a white shirt, and gestures with her left hand
    via Mina Rad on Unsplash+

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 05
    Just to let you know, I had a star next to your name in the interview process because I was aware of and was biased towards you before our conversation. Personally, my suggestion would be trust the quality of your CV, mention that the company you worked at , and have more confidence in your own was acquired by conversational and creative problem solving skills.
    via @jarrenrocks
  • 06
    I've been impressed by plenty of people who are terrible in conversations. It'd be better to be honest and fumble over your words, vs dishonest and deceptive. Best, Jarren
    via @jarrenrocks
  • 07

    This might be a bit too nice...

    daveknapik How much more powerful would this have been if you said, "hey, I prefer a no-Al interview, and I really think you're a strong candidate, so how about we rewind and do over without Al. You got this, you'll be fine: we want the human you" It doesn't have to be black and white.
    via @daveknapik

    An no-AI interview is implied, right? If they wanted to use AI, they could prompt it themselves. The whole issue is that it's duplicitous to use a machine to market skills that you're claiming as your own. 

  • 08
    nirjhhrbj NO INTERVIEW SHOULD BE AN AI INTERVIEW. LOL WHAT?
    via @nirjhhrbj
  • 09
    Man sits at black desk with hands folded and smiles at woman in front of him, she has medium brown hair, is wearing a white shirt, and gestures with both hands
    via Mina Rad on Unsplash+

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 10
    messymutt Sooooo... as someone who hires people as my profession, I'm gonna say this isn't it. I understand the purpose of what you were doing, but this email isn't it. While you did not say anything illegal, you did actually use the word "biased", too, which is hilarious. This email
    via @messymutt
  • 11
    gave me the ick and is condescending. You may be the CEO of your company, but I recommend some training on hiring, interviewing, communication, implicit bias, and fair hiring practices.
    via @messymutt
  • 12
    niji 0611 A CEO who doesn't like his candidates using Al but plans to build an Al business. Ohhh the irony.
    via @niji 0611
  • 13
    paradiserodriguezbo You need to be foundationally capable too...not only reliant on the tool
    via @paradiserodriguezbordeaux
  • 14
    bighurt9394 So hiring managers don't want applicants to use Al, but they filter 95% of the applications out using Al programs and algorithms. Pot meet kettle.
    via @bighurt9394
  • 15
    ivan_dogbegah Using Al for a founding engineer role, in an interview with the CEO, is absurd.
    via @ivan_dogbegah

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