AI generated job candidates is a real and growing concern in recruiting and cybersecurity. What is happening, how does it work, and what can be done about it?
What’s Happening?
Some bad actors are using AI tools to create entirely fake personas that can pass through hiring pipelines. These may include:
- Deepfake video/audio for interviews
- AI-written résumés and cover letters
- Fake LinkedIn profiles
- AI-generated certificates or project portfolios
These AI generated job candidates are sometimes used to:
- Steal corporate data or intellectual property
- Commit fraud (e.g., by receiving salaries without doing work)
- Get placed in high-paying remote jobs (sometimes subcontracting the work elsewhere)
How AI Generated Job Candidates Happen
- Generative AI tools like ChatGPT, image generation, and voice synthesis can create fake but plausible application materials.
- Deepfake video tech can impersonate someone live in a video interview.
- Automation scripts can manage email communications, calendar scheduling, and onboarding.
Red Flags for Interviewing
- Voice doesn’t match lip movement (deepfake issues)
- Inconsistencies in time zones, résumé dates, or experience
- Avoiding live coding or webcam-based assessments
- Background noise that suggests a script is being read or generated
- LinkedIn or GitHub accounts with little activity or recent creation
Real-World Incidents
According to research by the advisory firm, Gartner, an estimated one in four job applicants will be fake by 2028. There have been reported cases in the U.S. and India where people used stand-ins or avatars for video calls, or pass fake resumes through ATS systems. Some companies have hired candidates who never show up to work or underperform drastically. The Justice Department has uncovered multiple networks in which North Koreans used fake identities to land remote jobs in the U.S. They used AI to build fake identities and work U.S.-based IT jobs to funnel U.S. dollars to their home country.
Should Companies be Worried?
Yes — especially for remote roles, technical positions, or contract-based jobs where direct, in-person vetting is minimal. The best way to protect you and your firm? Use an experienced recruiter who regularly does what is necessary to detect and prevent AI generated job candidates being hired. Experienced, specialized recuiters:
- Do live technical assessments: Especially using screen sharing or coding platforms like HackerRank, Codility, etc.
- Use video verification: Ask for impromptu questions during interviews to detect delays or confusion in deepfakes.
- Conduct background checks: Verify employment history, education, and certifications.
- Do behavioral interviews: Harder for AI to fake nuanced storytelling or human rapport.
