When the Interview is Being Watched by AI: A Coaching Case Study
by Claire Brady, EdD
“It’s not about telling someone what to do. It’s about championing their authentic self, helping them weigh the options, and supporting them in choosing the path that lets them show up most confidently.”
An executive coaching client recently reached out with a thoughtful dilemma. Ahead of a major interview, the recruiter had shared that the conversation would be recorded using an AI platform designed to capture candidate responses, highlight strengths, and support interviewer calibration. The message also made clear that opting out was allowed and would not impact consideration for the role.
From the recruiter’s side, the tool had clear benefits: consistency, reviewability, and data-driven fairness. From the candidate’s side, though, it felt different—more like surveillance and less like an authentic conversation. My client’s first instinct was to opt out, but before deciding, they asked: What do you think?
This is where executive coaching shines. It’s not about telling someone what to do. It’s about championing their authentic self, helping them weigh the options, and supporting them in choosing the path that lets them show up most confidently.
Here are a few of the considerations we explored together:
Signal vs. distraction: Would opting out send an unintended signal? Or would it be a non-issue, as the recruiter promised? Sometimes perception matters more than policy.
Comfort and confidence: If being recorded feels uncomfortable, that can diminish presence. Interviews are as much about energy as they are about content.
Framing: If asked about opting out, a values-based response—“I do my best work in live conversation and want to bring my full self without distraction”—keeps the focus on authenticity.
The bigger picture: This is just one of many places where technology intersects with leadership. Knowing your boundaries and how to communicate them is part of leading today.
My advice? Choose the option that allows you to show up with confidence and integrity. Authenticity is not negotiable.
That’s the heart of executive coaching: not prescribing answers, but creating the space to ask the right questions and empowering leaders to make choices aligned with their values. And as both a coach and a strong champion for ethical AI, I believe it’s equally important to help leaders navigate the promises and perils of technology in ways that preserve humanity, dignity, and trust.
In a time when technology is rapidly reshaping even the hiring process, the most important thing we can do is help leaders trust themselves, trust their presence, and trust the work they bring into the room.
