How I talk about AI tools in job interviews
I interviewed for a job recently, and was asked about my process in research design. I have a pretty polished answer to this question that includes a list of the tools that I use and my thought process. Among those tools I mention using at least one generative AI tool. I often will tailor what I say I use to align with the tool stack I'm assuming the company is using… not because I'm being disingenuous, but because I often jump around from tool to tool to maintain familiarity with them all. So why not look good right?
The person interviewing me took in my answer and then paused before saying, “I think it's great that you are using AI. So you know, right now our policies do not allow any AI tools.”
That was my past company not too long ago. I'm sure there are plenty of other companies that have a similar policy. In some ways, it can be easier to simply place a blanket “no” on the tools instead of taking the time to determine which ones are best and draft more nuanced policy and practice. I understand how much work can go into that, and how challenging compliance can be — specially working in areas like HealthTech and FinTech. I want to be understanding when someone tells me that the policy is simply don't use AI.
That said, I have argued that having a policy stating that employees cannot use AI does not keep them from using AI. Instead, they use AI on their own, on private devices, and are not following any policy or practice at all. This can put companies in a challenging position as they are not able to monitor or manage data privacy or ethical practice. As much time as it can take to create a policy and governance structure around AI usage, it takes more time and resources to address a lawsuit.
As someone who has integrated AI into my practice as a UX researcher, working for a company that has a blanket anti-AI policy is a red flag for me. I don't want to return to a world where I can't utilize powerful tools to augment my work. I think there are a lot of people in my profession who feel similarly, and certainly there are a lot of people in tech who feel that way.
So I have added some new talking points to my interview prep. Here are a few things I do to ensure that the AI policy at a company alliance with my own practice:
When I talk about process, I make sure to name the tools that I am using.
If a tool is AI powered, but not very well known or doesn't have AI in the name, I make sure to call out that it uses AI. This is incredibly important since there are so many tools out there and not everybody knows them all.
I specifically will ask what types of tools their team are using, and if I am not sure if a tool is AI powered, I ask.
I also ask about the company policies around AI usage and what AI tools they are already using.
Doing these things will keep me above board with companies regarding how I do my work, and can help me understand whether or not it's a good fit for my own research practice.
