In a shocking revelation, Elon Musk’s xAI co-founder Greg Yang has exposed a rising trend in the job market: candidates using advanced AI tools to cheat during interviews. With virtual interviews becoming the norm, savvy job seekers are leveraging AI to sidestep tough questions and impress recruiters.

Yang shared a jaw-dropping story of a candidate who attempted to use Claude, an AI assistant, during their interview—a move that quickly backfired. Instead of getting upset, Yang turned it into a discussion, prompting others to share their experiences with AI cheating. Many have reported that candidates are leaking interview questions on platforms like 1point3acres, giving future applicants an unfair advantage.

As Yang noted, the situation is growing more concerning. Riece Keck, a tech headhunter, voiced his frustration, stating, “This is turning into a real problem.” He’s noticed candidates looking at their screens for answers, sometimes mispronouncing words as they read directly from the AI. Another recruiter detailed a candidate who, while seemingly composed, was stalling and searching for answers mid-interview—an act so brazen it left the panel in disbelief.

Some candidates even resort to using tools like http://interviewmonkey.ai to get real-time help during technical questions. One recruiter recounted a disastrous incident where a candidate’s online text editor malfunctioned during a coding test, showcasing just how risky this tactic can be.

Faced with this new wave of cheating, recruiters are getting creative in their strategies to root out AI-assisted deception. Many are opting for screen-sharing during interviews or throwing in unexpected scenario-based questions. Some companies, including Deloitte, have even reverted to in-person interviews to deter Gen Z candidates from relying on AI for an edge.

As job hunting becomes more challenging, the lengths to which candidates will go to secure a position continue to blur ethical lines. Recruiters are cracking down, but will this arms race between AI tools and interview tactics continue to escalate? Only time will tell.