Quick answer: it depends on the employer and the round. Some companies now expect AI in technical interviews (Canva) or build an AI assistant into the interview itself (Karat NextGen, HackerRank's AI-assisted interviews), while others allow AI for preparation but not in live rounds (Anthropic), and several have added in-person rounds because of AI misuse (Google, McKinsey). Every entry below links to its source and was last checked on 8 November 2026. When the rules are unclear, ask your recruiter in writing before the interview.
Where AI is allowed or expected
1. Canva: in a June 2025 engineering post, Canva said it now expects Backend, Machine Learning and Frontend candidates to use AI tools such as Copilot, Cursor and Claude in technical interviews, with an AI-assisted coding round replacing its computer-science fundamentals screen.
2. Karat NextGen interviews: Karat's candidate guide says you are expected to use the integrated AI assistant to navigate and edit a multi-file codebase, but you may not use any AI tools or other resources outside the interview environment.
3. HackerRank AI-assisted interviews: when the employer turns it on, candidates get an AI assistant in the IDE; HackerRank's documentation says the interviewer sees the prompts and replies live and the report includes the full chat transcript.
4. CodeSignal AI-assisted assessments: CodeSignal offers assessments where an AI assistant (Cosmo) is available if the employer enables it, and the conversation is part of the report, according to its 2025 product announcement.
5. Meta (pilot, press reports): in July 2025 TechRadar and others reported that Meta would let candidates use AI in some coding interviews; Meta has not published a candidate policy page, so confirm with your recruiter.
Where AI is not allowed in the interview
1. Anthropic: its candidate guidance, last updated 10 July 2025, encourages using Claude to research the company and practise, and to refine (not write) application materials, but says take-home assessments and live interviews are without AI unless the instructions say otherwise.
2. Karat standard interviews: Karat's FAQ allows looking up documentation during coding if you tell the interviewer, but using generative AI to produce an approach or solution is not allowed.
3. Amazon: in February 2025 Business Insider reported internal guidance that candidates may not use generative AI tools during interviews and can be disqualified if they do.
4. Mercor: its AI interview guidance asks candidates not to use language models to compose answers (see the Mercor interview guide).
5. Assessment platforms in general: HackerRank lists AI-based plagiarism detection, webcam checks and screenshot analysis among its features, and CodeSignal documents proctoring for employers.
Employers adding in-person rounds
In August 2025 Entrepreneur reported Sundar Pichai saying Google requires at least one in-person interview round, and that McKinsey asks hiring managers to schedule at least one in-person meeting, both in response to AI misuse in remote interviews (Entrepreneur).
Expect more of this for senior and high-volume roles. Preparation that lets you answer without help is the safest plan everywhere.
How to stay on the right side of the rules
1. Read the invitation and any candidate guide; platform rules (camera, screen sharing, allowed tools) are usually written there.
2. If AI is allowed, practise with that exact tool beforehand; interviewers judge how you direct it, check its output and explain the result.
3. If AI is not allowed, do not use it. Use AI for practice before the interview instead: mock questions, feedback on your answers, and rehearsing out loud.
4. If you are unsure, ask the recruiter in writing. A clear answer protects you.
Company guides: Meta, Microsoft, and the platform guides on HackerRank AI-assisted interviews and Karat.
Where CrackInterviewAI fits
CrackInterviewAI is a Windows 10/11 app that turns a spoken, typed or screenshot question into a short answer outline, using your resume and the job description. Use it to rehearse before the assessment; in a live round, use outside help only where the employer allows it. New accounts get 30 free minutes, then international prices start at $3.99 for one hour with no subscription (USD plans, download).
Use AI where it helps most: practice
Rehearse real interview questions out loud with your resume as context. 30 free minutes on Windows.
Frequently asked questions
Can you use AI in coding interviews?
Only where the employer allows it. Canva expects AI tools in its technical interviews, and Karat NextGen and HackerRank AI-assisted interviews provide a built-in assistant. Anthropic, Amazon and standard Karat interviews do not allow AI to produce answers.
Does Anthropic allow AI in interviews?
Its candidate guidance (updated 10 July 2025) allows AI for research, practice and refining application materials, but not in take-home assessments or live interviews unless the instructions say so.
Can interviewers see my AI assistant in a HackerRank interview?
Yes. In HackerRank's AI-assisted interviews the interviewer sees your prompts and the replies in real time, and the report includes the full chat transcript.
What happens if I use AI when it is not allowed?
Platforms use proctoring, plagiarism detection and webcam checks, and some employers say they will disqualify candidates. It is not worth the risk; use AI to prepare instead.
How do I know if AI is allowed in my interview?
Check the invitation and the platform's candidate guide, and if it is still unclear, ask your recruiter in writing before the interview.
Keep exploring
Return to the CrackInterviewAI homepage to download the Windows app, or browse all guides on the interview prep blog.