Google Reinstates In-Person Interviews Amid AI Cheating Scandal in Virtual Hiring

Google has reversed its remote hiring policies after discovering widespread use of AI tools to cheat during VIRTUAL coding assessments. CEO Sundar Pichai confirmed the return of mandatory in-person interview rounds during a June podcast appearance, emphasizing the need to verify candidates' fundamental skills. The move follows internal pressure from employees who raised concerns about the reliability of remote evaluations.

Tech giants including Amazon, Deloitte, Cisco, and McKinsey are implementing similar measures as the industry grapples with maintaining assessment integrity. During a February town hall, Google staff directly challenged leadership about onsite interviews, with one employee questioning whether budget constraints could be solved by bringing candidates to controlled environments.

The shift highlights a growing tension between hiring convenience and credential verification in the digital age. While remote interviews offered efficiency gains, companies are now prioritizing evaluation rigor as AI-powered cheating tools become increasingly sophisticated.