Let’s all take a moment to act surprised. AI is disrupting tech hiring, and companies are realizing that remote interviews might not be as foolproof as they thought. Candidates are using AI tools to generate code, refine answers, and, in some cases, completely outsource their technical interviews. The response? Some companies are thinking about bringing back in-person interviews.

Anyone who didn’t see this coming a mile away must have been living under a rock—or, more likely, reading one too many “AI will solve everything” think pieces.

Let’s be real: Hiring, especially for higher-skill roles, has never been about just checking if someone can write a few lines of code. It’s about problem-solving, creativity, adaptability, and (dare I say it?) actual human interaction. If you thought you could fully automate talent acquisition, well… AI just proved you wrong in the most ironic way possible.

This is why the human element in hiring—real recruiters, real referrals, and real conversations—matters more than ever. A solid resume or a perfectly executed coding test doesn’t guarantee success. The best talent isn’t just about what’s on paper (or on a screen). It’s about how they think, communicate, and collaborate.

At Ursus, Inc. , we’ve always believed in the power of relationships in hiring. A great recruiter can sniff out red flags, assess soft skills, and match candidates to roles beyond just their ability to pass a test—whether AI-assisted or not. And while technology will always play a role in hiring, it should be an enabler, not a crutch (or a cheat sheet).

So, if you or your company want to bring back in-person interviews, maybe it’s less about going backward and more about remembering that hiring isn’t just a transaction—it’s a human process. And no AI is going to change that. What do you think?