Patna: Google is set to overhaul its software engineering interview process in a move that reflects how deeply artificial intelligence has become embedded in everyday coding work. The company is preparing to allow candidates to use approved AI tools during selected interview rounds, aiming to make assessments more closely match how engineers actually solve problems in the real world.
Under the new system, candidates will be able to use Google’s own AI assistant, Gemini AI, during a “Code Comprehension” round. In this stage, they will be asked to study existing code, identify bugs, and improve performance. Instead of relying only on speed or memory, candidates will be judged on how well they think through problems, work with AI support, and apply sound engineering judgment.
Google says the change is designed to reflect how modern software development works, where AI tools are already widely used to write, debug, and optimise code. A senior company executive, Brian Ong, has said the hiring system is regularly updated to ensure it identifies candidates who can succeed in today’s rapidly changing technical environment.
The changes are not limited to coding tests alone. Google is also reshaping its behavioural and design-focused interview rounds. The “Googleyness and Leadership” segment will now include deeper questions about how candidates approach technical decisions in their past work. For junior roles, traditional coding tests will be replaced with broader “Engineering Challenges” based on real-world scenarios.
The pilot programme is currently being tested in the United States within Google’s Cloud and Platforms and Devices divisions. If successful, it could be expanded globally. The company describes the approach as “human-led, AI-assisted”, where interviewers remain in control, but candidates are encouraged to use AI as part of their problem-solving process — a sign of how quickly tech hiring itself is adapting to the age of intelligent machines.
