• By Alex David
  • Sun, 17 Aug 2025 11:23 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND

Google CEO Sundar Pichai has confirmed that the company will bring back at least one round of in-person interviews for job candidates, citing the rising misuse of AI tools during virtual hiring processes.

Speaking on the Lex Fridman Podcast in June 2025, Pichai said the decision comes as part of efforts to ensure candidates demonstrate genuine skills.

“We are making sure we’ll introduce at least one round of in-person interviews for people, just to make sure the fundamentals are there,” Pichai noted.

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Why Not Just Online Interviews?

According to reports reviewed by The Times of India and CNBC, concerns have been mounting among Google employees about AI-assisted cheating during remote coding interviews.

  • Employee Feedback: At a town hall meeting held in February 2025, employees requested that management stop conducting all-virtual interviews due to their widespread misuse.
  • Real-Time Coding at Risk: Candidates have reportedly used off-camera artificial intelligence tools to solve challenges off camera, jeopardising the integrity of the process.
  • Scale of the Issue: Hiring managers flagged that over 50% of candidates were relying on AI during interviews.

One employee asked:

“Can we get on-site job interviews back? If budget is a constraint, can we get the candidates to an office or environment we can control?”

Why Google Still Prefers Virtual Interviews

Despite these challenges, Google leaders acknowledge the efficiency of online hiring:

  • Speed: Virtual interviews are two weeks faster than in-person ones.
  • Scheduling Ease: They are easier to coordinate across hybrid teams.
  • Flexibility: Remote formats allow candidates from different locations to participate quickly.

 

Google VP Brian Ong admitted that AI has created a “fundamental challenge” in recruitment and emphasised that competitors are also grappling with this industry-wide crisis.

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What’s Next?

Pichai suggested that a hybrid hiring model may be the way forward:

“Given we all work hybrid, I think it’s worth thinking about some fraction of the interviews being in person. I think it’ll help both the candidates understand Google’s culture, and I think it’s good for both sides.”

Google's decision exemplifies an emerging trend among tech companies: adapting hiring practices in an age of AI tools that blur the distinction between authentic and assisted performance.