Reg hack attends job interview hosted by AI avatar, struggles to exit uncanny valley

In a world where artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being used in the recruitment process, The Register couldn't help but try out a new startup called Job Bolt that offers AI-hosted job interviews. The experience was nothing short of unnerving, and it raises important questions about the future of work.

AI avatars conduct job interviews

Job Bolt's pitch is simple: resumes and CVs are full of fibs that existing HR systems can't detect, so HR people can save time by screening candidates with AI interviews. The startup creates an AI avatar that conducts a session that feels like a one-to-one Zoom call. After the interview ends, Job Bolt uses AI to summarize the candidate's responses, making it easier for human HR folks to decide who gets a meeting with a real person.

Our team created a fictional role at The Riverton Chronicle and prepared a set of questions about how we find news, work with teams of reporters, and engage audiences. We were excited to experience an AI interview firsthand, but little did we know that it would be a baptism by fire into the world of AI-hosted recruitment.

A disconcerting experience

The experience was disconcerting, mainly because the avatar's non-verbal behavior is twitchy, repetitive, and comes from way down deep in the uncanny valley. The place where not-real-enough simulations come off as inhuman and creepy attempts at authenticity.

In the video above, the avatar digests an answer for six seconds without responding. During our interview, it processed things a little quicker but its responses were banal. Most opened by referring to my previous answer by saying "Thank you for sharing" or referred to an answer by opening "It sounds like…" before offering a decent summary of a previous answer and trying to bridge to the next question.

A lack of conversational interaction

The result was that the avatar didn't feel in any way conversational. It can't nod, raise an eyebrow, or make any other gesture or sound that indicates active listening or gives a clue about how it's receiving an interviewee's words.

So we found ourselves groping for anything to guide our responses. The results felt like my worst self – an uncertain and inarticulate mess no recruiter would consider a viable candidate.

A trial run is essential

If you find yourself asked to interview with an AI, I advise requesting a test run so you can experience the platform and learn how to put your best foot forward. That's a reasonable ask given that this sort of thing is new and strange.

If an organization won't let you practice, it's probably an indicator that it's not a place you would want to work anyway. Don't be afraid to advocate for yourself in the recruitment process – it's your chance to shine.

A warning from The Register

Job Bolt is not the only startup using AI to "improve" the recruitment process. Earlier this year, we met Megan the AI recruiting agent. Others are doubtless exploring the field and, because it's 2025, some HR managers will adopt these AIs.

However, The Register warns that these AIs may not be as sophisticated as they seem. Don't get caught off guard – demand a trial run and learn how to navigate this strange new world.