After years of remote recruitment and AI-powered first rounds, a major shift is underway: the in-person job interview is staging a comeback. Recruiters report rising misuse of AI during virtual assessments candidates using off-screen tools to cheat or even employing impersonators to game the system.

As a result, tech giants like Google, Cisco, and McKinsey—and others—are reviving traditional face-to-face interviews to validate real skills and ensure authenticity. Physical interviews bring back human evaluation, reduce opportunities for fraud, and act as a strong deterrent against AI misuse.

This revival reflects the escalating “bot arms race”: while employers deploy AI to streamline hiring, applicants counter with AI-generated resumes and responses. In this landscape, in-person interactions regain value not only for better assessment but also to restore trust in recruitment integrity. The trend underlines a balanced future in hiring one where technology aids efficiency, yet human judgment remains essential.