Google is preparing to allow software engineering candidates to use artificial intelligence tools during parts of its hiring process, marking a shift in how technical talent is assessed across the industry.
According to reports by Business Insider and other technology publications, the company is testing a new interview format that permits candidates to use its Gemini AI assistant during selected coding rounds. The pilot programme is expected to begin later this year within Google Cloud teams in the United States, initially focusing on junior and mid-level engineering roles.
Under the proposed format, candidates will be allowed to use Gemini during a code comprehension round, where they review, debug and improve software while interviewers assess how effectively they collaborate with AI tools.
Google has described the approach as human-led and AI-assisted, reflecting the increasing integration of generative AI in software development workflows. Across the technology sector, engineers and recruiters are already using AI systems to write, test and optimise code, reshaping expectations from traditional coding interviews.
The move aligns with Google’s broader investment in Gemini, its flagship AI platform developed by Google DeepMind, which powers coding, search and productivity features across multiple products and forms a central part of the company’s AI strategy.
Reports indicate that the revised hiring process will also evaluate how responsibly candidates use AI tools. Interviewers are expected to assess whether applicants can frame effective prompts, validate AI-generated responses and identify errors in generated code rather than relying solely on automated outputs.
The hiring overhaul follows rapid changes in engineering workflows. Business Insider reported that Google executives have previously indicated that a significant portion of the company’s code is now created with AI assistance before being reviewed by engineers.
Industry experts have stated that the move could influence recruitment practices across the wider technology sector, where coding interviews have traditionally emphasised problem-solving without external assistance.
Supporters have said the shift better reflects real-world working conditions, while critics have warned that heavy reliance on AI tools could make it more difficult to evaluate a candidate’s core programming ability and analytical skills.