Why In-Person Interviews Still Matter in a Tech Hiring World Driven by AI

Artificial intelligence is changing how tech teams hire, from automated CV screening to AI-led video interviews, but for tech leaders, there is still no substitute for a face-to-face conversation.

Does AI have a place in hiring?

AI can identify skills quickly. It can surface candidates with the right programming languages, frameworks, or security certifications in seconds. But when it comes to what really matters in tech teams, collaboration, creativity, and problem-solving under pressure, AI cannot measure that.

Whether you are hiring a software engineer, data scientist, or cyber security analyst, the difference between a good candidate and a great one often shows up in how they communicate complex ideas, adapt on the spot, and engage in technical discussion.

Challenges of navigating AI applications

Technical tests are another important tool in the hiring process. Coding challenges, data analysis exercises, or cyber security scenario simulations can help verify practical skills before the interview stage. However, tests alone cannot measure communication, teamwork, or how candidates respond to unexpected challenges, qualities that determine long-term success in tech teams.

The rise of AI tools has also created a new challenge for employers. Candidates can now use AI to generate CVs, cover letters, and even video interview answers. A profile might look flawless online, but gaps in real understanding quickly appear when candidates are asked to solve problems or discuss technical detail in person.

Face-to-face is a vital step

That is why in-person interviews remain a vital step in the hiring process. They allow hiring managers to verify technical knowledge, ask deeper questions, and see how candidates think in real time. For candidates, it is an opportunity to experience your environment – whether that is your dev space, office, or security operations centre – and picture themselves as part of the team.

In a recent Wales Business Insider article, Arran Warner highlighted that the best hiring processes combine both worlds: using video interviews and technical tests for early filtering, but following up with in-person meetings for depth and authenticity. This approach lets technology handle efficiency while preserving the human insight that ensures the right candidates progress to the final stages.

Think smart

The smartest hiring strategies now strike this balance, using AI and tech tests for speed but relying on human judgment for precision. As AI tools become more common across tech recruitment, face-to-face interviews will remain the critical step in building teams that do not just have the right skills, but the right mindset to collaborate, innovate, and solve complex problems.

At IntaPeople, we combine advanced hiring technology with a genuinely human approach. Our consultants specialise in helping tech leaders find the right people at every level, from entry-level developers to C-suite technology leaders, who will thrive in their environment, not just look good on paper.

Need help with your next tech hire? Get in touch with the IntaPeople team today.