TECHNOLOGY · VERIFIED DEVELOPMENT
McKinsey Tests AI‑Simulated Client in Entry‑Level Interviews
WHY IT MATTERS
It signals a shift toward AI‑augmented hiring, offering firms a scalable way to gauge real‑world consulting skills while keeping human oversight in the decision process.
What happened
McKinsey & Company is piloting a new interview component for entry‑level candidates that involves a 10‑minute conversation with an AI‑generated client. The simulation, designed to mirror about 80 % of typical consulting scenarios, is not intended to portray extreme or unhinged clients.
Human interviewers will observe and evaluate how candidates handle the simulated interactions, rather than relying on automated scoring. The tool is currently in testing for undergraduate applicants targeting business‑analyst roles in select McKinsey offices.
The initiative reflects a broader trend of integrating AI into talent assessment while retaining human judgment.
PRIMARY SOURCES
McKinsey is making job applicants spar with a fake AI client
The Verge · Jay Peters · Discovery only; Vox Media copyright terms apply
CORRECTIONS & UPDATES
- Revision 1 · Initial ingestion · Oct 15, 2026, 12:01 AM
- Revision 2 · Source update detected · Oct 15, 2026, 12:01 AM