In early 2025, a wave of TikTok videos showcasing glitchy AI-powered job interview bots has gone viral, sparking debate about the role of artificial intelligence in recruitment. From candidates being cut off mid-sentence to bots asking nonsensical questions, these clips highlight the growing pains of automated hiring tools—and their impact on job seekers.
The Viral Trend
The trend began when 24-year-old software engineer Maya Chen posted a TikTok of her interview with an AI bot for a tech startup. The bot froze, repeated “Tell me about your skills” five times, then abruptly ended the session. Chen’s video, captioned “AI is stealing my job AND my sanity,” racked up 2.3 million views. Similar clips followed, with users sharing:
- Bots misinterpret responses, like asking a barista candidate about “cloud architecture.”
- Technical glitches, such as distorted audio or bots assigning random scores.
- Awkward moments, like a bot pausing for 30 seconds before asking, “Are you a robot?”
The hashtag #AInterviewFails has amassed over 50 million views, blending humor with frustration.
Why Companies Use AI Bots
AI interview tools, like those from HireVue or Mya Systems, are designed to streamline hiring by:
- Screening Candidates: Analyzing resumes and responses to filter applicants.
- Standardizing Interviews: Asking consistent questions to reduce human bias.
- Saving Time: Handling thousands of interviews simultaneously, cutting costs for HR teams.
A 2024 report estimated 60% of Fortune 500 companies use AI for initial interviews, especially for entry-level and high-volume roles like retail or tech support.
The Downside of AI Recruitment
The viral videos expose significant flaws:
- Technical Issues: Glitches disrupt interviews, leaving candidates confused or unfairly judged.
- Lack of Context: Bots struggle with nuanced answers, penalizing non-traditional career paths.
- Bias Concerns: AI can inherit biases from training data, like favoring certain accents or keywords.
- Impersonal Experience: Candidates feel dehumanized, with 70% in a 2024 survey saying AI interviews “lacked empathy.”
For example, TikTok user
@JoblessJake
shared how a bot rejected him for “insufficient enthusiasm” after his webcam lagged, despite his strong qualifications. Such stories fuel perceptions that AI prioritizes efficiency over fairness.Companies’ Response
Some firms are rethinking their approach:
- Hybrid Models: Combining AI screening with human interviews to balance efficiency and empathy.
- Improved Tech: Vendors are updating bots to better handle diverse responses and reduce glitches.
- Transparency: Companies like Walmart now disclose AI use upfront and offer feedback post-interview.
A San Francisco startup featured in a TikTok apology video pledged to pause AI interviews after a bot asked a candidate, “What’s your favorite dinosaur?” in a data analyst role.
What Job Seekers Can Do
Until AI tools improve, candidates can adapt:
- Test Tech: Check internet, audio, and video before interviews to avoid glitches.
- Use Keywords: Tailor responses to job descriptions, as bots often score based on specific terms.
- Stay Concise: Give clear, structured answers to suit AI’s limited processing.
- Appeal Decisions: If rejected, contact HR to request a human review, as some ##
- Advocate for Yourself: Share experiences on platforms like TikTok to push for industry accountability.
The viral TikTok trend has sparked a broader conversation about balancing technology and humanity in hiring. While AI can streamline recruitment, its glitches and limitations are forcing companies to reassess. As Chen, the original viral poster, told Business Insider, “AI’s not the enemy—it just needs to get better at understanding humans.” For now, job seekers are using humor and outrage to demand change, one viral video at a time.