But from a hiring perspective, what does that actually tell us?
Knowing how to use an AI tool is very different from knowing how to use it effectively at work. Employers should look beyond simple familiarity and assess how a candidate thinks, applies judgement and uses AI to improve the way they work.
Can They Give AI Clear Instructions?
The quality of an AI-generated response often depends on the quality of the instructions given.
A candidate who can provide relevant context, clearly define the task and explain the expected outcome is more likely to use AI productively.
During an interview, give the candidate a simple scenario related to the role and ask how they would use AI to assist them. Their response can reveal more than simply asking which AI tools they know.
Do They Check Before They Trust?
AI can produce an impressive-looking answer within seconds, but that does not necessarily mean it is accurate.
A good AI user should review the information, question anything that does not look right and verify important facts before using the output.
For employers, the real skill is not just generating an answer quickly, but knowing whether that answer can be relied upon.
Do They Understand The Boundaries?
Another useful question is: “When would you choose not to use AI?”
Confidential company information, sensitive client or employee data, and decisions requiring professional accountability should be handled carefully.
Candidates who understand these boundaries demonstrate not only AI familiarity, but also responsibility and good judgement.
Ask What AI Has Actually Helped Them Achieve
Rather than asking candidates to rate their AI proficiency, ask for a real example.
Perhaps AI helped them prepare a report more efficiently, improve written communication, research a subject or reduce time spent on repetitive work.
What matters is whether the candidate can explain what they were trying to achieve, how AI helped and what they still had to do themselves.
Questions Employers Can Ask During An Interview
Rather than simply asking candidates whether they know how to use AI, consider asking:
- “Tell me about a work task where AI helped you save time or achieve a better result.”
- “How would you check whether an AI-generated answer is accurate?”
- “What information would you avoid putting into an AI tool?”
- “If an AI answer looked correct but you were unsure, what would you do next?”
There may not always be one perfect answer. What employers should listen for is the candidate’s thought process and judgement.
The Real Skill Is How AI Is Applied
AI tools will continue to change. For employers, it may be more useful to assess the capabilities behind the technology: clear thinking, good judgement, verification and responsible use.
At Celecti, we believe the question should not simply be whether a candidate knows how to use AI, but whether they can use AI to work better without allowing it to replace their own judgement.