The rise of AI-powered cheats and deepfake scammers is pushing companies to abandon virtual hiring practices and return to traditional face-to-face interviews. With remote work and online interviews becoming common in recent years, many employers are now reversing course due to growing concerns over fraud and deception.
One major issue involves job applicants using off-screen AI tools to feed them answers during virtual interviews, especially in technical roles. This manipulation undermines the integrity of the hiring process, prompting recruiters to question the validity of remote evaluations. But the threat doesn’t stop there.
A more serious danger has emerged with scammers using deepfake technology to impersonate applicants. These bad actors pose as job seekers with the intent to gain employment and later steal sensitive data or commit financial theft. Companies now see this as a national security risk.
One high-profile case involved KnowBe4, a leading cybersecurity firm. Last year, the company discovered it had been infiltrated by a North Korean operative who used deepfake tech to secure a remote software engineering position. The spy passed multiple video interviews using a stolen identity and an AI-generated image, evading detection until malware was discovered on company-issued equipment.
In light of these incidents, employers are shifting back to in-person interviews. This traditional approach allows for a more accurate assessment of an applicant’s identity, behavior, and communication skills. Physical interviews also help recruiters evaluate nonverbal cues like body language, eye contact, and spontaneous responses — traits that AI tools and deepfakes can’t easily replicate.
The shift signals a growing awareness that speed and convenience in hiring cannot come at the cost of national security or company integrity. As AI-enabled deception evolves, so must the methods for verifying the people trusted with access to sensitive systems and information.
