- If you're going to be expected to use AI, you should ask about it in interviews. How you do that matters.
- It's good to learn about a company's AI strategy and some specifics, such as the tools you can use.
- Assessing if a firm is using the technology or only talking about it is important, a recruiter said.
AI is changing how many companies work — and how you should interview.
More employers are likely to be sizing up your AI know-how. That means you should be asking questions, too.
It's worth assessing whether a company is actually integrating AI or mostly talking about it, Jeff Hyman, a recruiter with about 30 years of experience, told Business Insider.
You'll want to know specifics, like what tools you'll be able to use, and broader ideas like how an employer thinks about AI. It's also key to frame the questions in a way that conveys enthusiasm, while also getting as many cluesas possible. Here's what to ask:
Their approach
To start, you might ask about a company's AI strategy for 2026. That's about the right timeframe to ask about, Hyman said, because it acknowledges that the technology is changing so rapidly that it's hard to see too far into the future. It might also help you understand whether a company is thinking about AI as a way to drive growth or mainly to cut costs.
Next, Hyman suggests asking how the team you'd be joining uses AI on a day-to-day basis. Listen for an answer that's vague, he said, because that can signal an employer is early in its AI journey. That's not necessarily a red flag, though it's important to know where things stand, Hyman said.
It can also be smart to get a sense of whether a company is betting too heavily on AI or taking a more measured approach, said Erin McGoff, who founded and runs the career-education platform AdviceWithErin.
Asking about a company's approach is a way to find out whether it's "AI drunk" and thinks the technology will change everything, or if it's barely affecting the business, she told Business Insider.
Their tools
One of the clearest signals of how seriously a company takes AI is the tools employees can actually use — and how much access they have.
Hyman said candidates should treat AI access the way they once evaluated basic workplace tech. Years ago, you might have asked whether you'd get a work laptop or phone. Now, it's reasonable to ask whether you'll have access to paid AI tools — and which ones — or would have to rely on free versions on your own.
"Companies that are going cheap really signal that they're trying to get something for nothing," he said. "They want the AI gains, but they're not willing to invest in them."
When it comes to using AI, ask whether usage is monitored or restricted, said Katy Mooney, a leadership coach and coauthor of the forthcoming book "Up! The Playbook for Every Woman on the Rise."
It's also wise to ask who makes decisions about those tools. Does your boss control it, or would you have a say? That might include asking about a token allotment, which is like a data plan for AI use.
"I would ask about their flexibility when it comes to your preferences, because if they're forcing you to use something that feels weird and you don't like, that matters," McGoff said.
Their expectations
Beyond access, you want to understand whether your boss will evaluate how much you use AI, McGoff said.
Because it's still so new for many companies, a lot of them are scrambling and "just want you to use it," she said.
It's OK to ask about the expectations for creating new procedures that incorporate AI. That kind of work can add up to "additional cognitive labor," McGoff said.
"Are you also expected to actually figure out how to implement AI in your job?" she said.
Hyman said to be careful about how you ask about AI use, however. You don't want to seem like you're resistant to the technology, he said.
"The message you want to send — and the undertone is — 'Charlie, you're going to need to hold me back, because I have so many ideas of how we can bring AI to bear,'" Hyman said.
To that point, he said, show up at an interview with specific ideas about how you'd use AI in the role.
"Even if the boss has already thought of those things, at least he or she knows that you're thinking about it," Hyman said.
Their training
Finally, in any interview, both sides are assessing each other. So don't hesitate to ask how a company will help you grow alongside AI.
"You need to ask, 'Will the company be providing comprehensive training resources and support around AI implementation into this role? Or will I be left to fend for myself?'" McGoff said.
Some companies might want you to do the work of figuring out what to do with AI, while others might want you to stay within firm boundaries, she said.
Ultimately, asking open-ended questions gives those running the interview room the opportunity to explain their approach.
Mooney suggests questions such as, "How is AI affecting the work you do and your business?" and "How does it affect how you're managing the workplace?"
Do you have a story to share about your interview experience? Contact this reporter at tparadis@businessinsider.com.
The post The right way to ask questions about AI in your next job interview appeared first on Business Insider
