I work in HR and am a fan of AI. After interviewing with an AI bot, I think it should stay out of job interviews.

As a marketing VP and an enthusiast for artificial intelligence, I recently had a firsthand experience that made me question the role of AI in the hiring process. While I work for AllVoices, a company that leverages AI for various HR tasks, my mock interview with an AI tool left me feeling uneasy. The AI's robotic voice and lack of visual engagement created a disconcerting atmosphere. Instead of interacting with a person, I was confronted with a bland interface asking me high-stakes questions about a job I was not even qualified for. I had anticipated a somewhat useful experience, perhaps as a screening tool, but the reality was far from my expectations. During the mock interview, I humorously mentioned my unrelated background, joking about planning parties. However, the AI responded in a way that felt disingenuous, praising my irrelevant experience as if it were a significant asset. This interaction highlighted a critical flaw: the AI lacked emotional intelligence and the ability to recognize sarcasm or nuance in conversation, ultimately leading to frustration on my part. Despite my professional background in employee relations, I found it alarming to learn that many companies are employing similar AI tools for real interviews. While AI can excel at organizing data and performing tasks like transcribing meetings, it falls short in situations requiring human empathy and understanding. AI may offer efficiency in some HR functions, but when it comes to pivotal moments like interviews, the human touch is irreplaceable. The potential for misunderstandings and misinterpretations raises concerns about relying on technology to make decisions that can significantly impact careers. In my view, AI should assist with tasks that don't require emotional nuance, but when it comes to interviewing candidates, it should take a back seat.