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Leo Humphries was fully prepared for what he believed would be a career-defining moment. The 25-year-old Houston resident had meticulously polished his resume, donned his best suit, and mentally rehearsed potential interview questions. With aspirations of landing his dream journalism position at a prestigious national company, Leo decided to document this pivotal moment by recording his video interview—a decision that would later gain significant traction on social media platforms.
When robots conduct job interviews: an unexpected technological encounter
The interview began like any other, with Leo’s enthusiasm clearly visible as he connected to the video call. However, his excitement quickly turned to confusion when he realized his interviewer wasn’t human at all. Instead, he found himself facing an artificial intelligence system programmed to conduct the entire interview process.
“I couldn’t believe what was happening,” Leo later shared on his TikTok account. “There I was, ready to showcase my personality and passion, only to discover I’d be speaking to an algorithm instead of a hiring manager.” This unexpected development mirrors a growing trend in corporate hiring practices, where companies are increasingly replacing human recruiters with AI systems for initial candidate screenings.
Leo’s disappointment quickly escalated to frustration when the AI interviewer began malfunctioning midway through their conversation. The system entered what tech experts refer to as a “glitch state,” repeating the same question multiple times without processing Leo’s responses. For several uncomfortable minutes, Leo attempted to navigate this bizarre situation, unsure whether to restart the call or continue responding to the malfunctioning program.
This technological hiccup highlights the limitations of even the most sophisticated AI systems. Much like how scientific innovations sometimes face unexpected challenges, AI interview tools can still encounter operational issues that human interviewers wouldn’t experience.
Technical failures and automated rejections
After several minutes of glitching, the AI interviewer abruptly ended the session with a generic closing statement. “Thank you for providing such insightful responses and valuable information,” the system stated, despite Leo barely having an opportunity to answer any questions meaningfully. The premature conclusion left Leo bewildered about his performance and chances of progressing to the next stage.
The situation grew even more peculiar when Leo received an automated follow-up email less than an hour after the interview. Adding insult to injury, the message addressed him as “Henry” instead of Leo. The email praised his “wonderful energy” and “passion for storytelling”—qualities he hadn’t been given an adequate chance to demonstrate during the glitch-plagued interview.
The misidentification error highlights a critical challenge in automated recruitment processes. When preparing job applications, candidates typically spend considerable time personalizing their approach—much like how job seekers carefully consider how to address a cover letter without a specific name. Yet, the AI system couldn’t even correctly identify the candidate it had just interviewed.
Despite the flattering language, the email concluded with a rejection notice, stating that Leo’s qualifications didn’t align with the position requirements. This automated dismissal, following an interview where he couldn’t properly present himself, left Leo questioning the fairness and effectiveness of AI-driven hiring processes.
The viral aftermath and broader implications
Leo’s decision to share his experience on TikTok struck a chord with job seekers worldwide. His video quickly accumulated millions of views, with thousands of comments from users sharing similar experiences with automated interview systems. The viral nature of his post highlighted growing concerns about the increasing automation of recruitment processes.
“Technology should enhance human connection, not replace it,” commented one user, while another noted, “Companies using these systems miss out on identifying candidates with exceptional communication skills and ability to create instant connections through conversation.”
Recruitment experts have observed that while AI can efficiently screen large volumes of applications, it often fails to detect qualities that human interviewers naturally recognize. Successful professionals often possess attributes that algorithms struggle to quantify, such as creative problem-solving and adaptability—habits of highly successful people that might not translate well in automated assessments.
The incident also raises questions about transparency in hiring practices. Many companies don’t disclose to candidates that they’ll be interviewed by AI rather than humans. This lack of transparency can leave applicants unprepared for the different dynamics of machine-led interviews, where natural conversation flows and spontaneous exchanges are impossible.
Human touch in a technological world
Leo’s experience illustrates the potential pitfalls of removing human judgment from hiring decisions. While automation offers efficiency benefits, it risks overlooking exceptional talent that doesn’t fit predetermined algorithmic patterns. As one HR professional commented on Leo’s video, “Some of our best hires would have been rejected by AI systems because their unique backgrounds didn’t match standard templates.”
This situation echoes historical examples of innovation requiring human insight. Just as Steve Jobs’ early career was shaped by human connections and personal initiative, many career breakthroughs depend on human recognition of potential that algorithms might miss.
For job seekers navigating this new landscape, experts recommend researching companies’ interview processes beforehand and preparing specifically for AI interactions when necessary. Some career coaches even suggest incorporating breaks between answers—like taking a moment to enjoy dark chocolate, known for its stress-reducing benefits—to help maintain composure during potentially disorienting automated interviews.
As for Leo, his viral moment opened unexpected doors. Several media companies reached out with interview opportunities after seeing his TikTok post—this time with human interviewers ready to appreciate his talents without algorithmic interference.
