Recruiters Utilize AI Technology to Identify Ghost Coders
BENGALURU: The rise of generative AI is creating new challenges in campus hiring, as recruiters face increasingly sophisticated cheating methods. Techniques such as hidden wearable devices, AI-assisted tools, and proxy candidates are becoming more common, prompting companies to adopt AI-powered proctoring as a defense mechanism. Indian tech firms are utilizing platforms like Talview and Mercer Mettl to maintain the integrity of their hiring assessments.
Recruiters report that organized “interview-as-a-service” networks are enhancing the complexity of hiring fraud. Vivek Ravisankar, co-founder and CEO of HackerRank, stated that approximately 30% to 35% of assessment sessions exhibit at least one suspicious behavior, with AI-powered cheating apps being the primary concern. To counter these tactics, companies are shifting away from traditional browser-based assessments. AI-powered proctoring systems analyze webcam feeds, audio, and screen activity to identify potential cheating during large-scale assessments.
HackerEarth’s CEO, Vikas Aditya, noted that cheating methods have evolved rapidly. The most prevalent forms of malpractice include AI-generated code submissions, proxy candidates sourced through platforms like Discord or Telegram, off-camera assistance via secondary devices, and the use of virtual machines or remote desktop software to hide additional AI sessions. Aditya emphasized that these methods exploit a common vulnerability: static assessments that only evaluate final answers without considering the process. To combat this, HackerEarth employs live follow-up interviews, where candidates must explain their solutions, revealing that many who relied on AI fail to answer basic questions correctly.
According to HackerEarth’s 2025 Technical Hiring Landscape Report, the proportion of companies using proctored technical assessments increased from 64% at the start of 2025 to 77% by July. Nearly two-thirds of all technical assessments conducted throughout the year were proctored, highlighting the industry’s growing concern over AI-enabled cheating. Many companies still underestimate the extent of the problem, as traditional coding tests typically only provide final scores without insight into the methods used to achieve them.
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