More hiring managers want you to prove you're good with AI during interviews

A growing number of companies are rethinking their hiring processes to incorporate AI, encouraging candidates to demonstrate their skills with the technology rather than avoid it. Software maker Canva now allows technical job seekers to use AI during interviews, assessing how they approach problem-solving with the tools rather than whether they simply can complete an assignment.

Brendan Humphreys, Canva’s CTO, explained that traditional fears about candidates secretly using AI have shifted. “We just flipped the script and went, ‘OK, we’re going to invite you to use AI,’” he said. Candidates are evaluated on their ability to interact with AI thoughtfully, making decisions and iterating on solutions, rather than simply copying outputs. Screen-sharing during interviews ensures that hiring managers can see the thought process behind the work.

Arcade, an IT infrastructure startup, has taken a similar approach. Candidates are asked to use AI tools in take-home exercises and provide transcripts of their interactions. This allows the company to gauge not just technical ability, but judgment, iteration skills, and the candidate’s sense of what constitutes a strong result.

Other major companies are adopting the approach as well. Meta has piloted coding interviews where AI assistants are allowed, reflecting the reality of how developers will work. McKinsey & Company is testing AI use in graduate case interviews to measure candidates’ ability to integrate technology effectively.

The shift highlights a broader trend in hiring: AI is no longer just a threat to assessment integrity but a skill in itself. Employers want workers who can harness AI thoughtfully and responsibly, ensuring that candidates demonstrate genuine understanding, creativity, and problem-solving ability — essentially learning to “ride the dragon” of powerful AI tools, as Humphreys puts it.