The rise of generative AI is exposing new vulnerabilities in campus hiring, as recruiters confront increasingly sophisticated cheating techniques—from hidden wearable devices and AI-assisted tools to proxy candidates and ghost coders taking control of assessments via remote desktop software, according to a report in Business Today.
The Interview-as-a-Service Threat
Recruiters say organised “interview-as-a-service” networks are making hiring fraud more sophisticated, prompting companies to deploy AI-powered proctoring as a key line of defence. Many Indian tech firms use AI-powered proctoring platforms like Talview and Mercer Mettl, alongside assessment platforms such as HackerEarth and HackerRank, to safeguard the integrity of hiring assessments.
“We flag about 30%-35% of sessions with at least one suspicious behaviour. The biggest issue is the use of AI-powered cheating apps,” Vivek Ravisankar, co-founder and CEO of tech hiring platform HackerRank, told TOI.
Common Cheating Methods Revealed
HackerEarth CEO Vikas Aditya outlined the four most common forms of malpractice today:
- AI-generated code submissions
- Proxy candidates hired through Discord or Telegram groups
- Off-camera assistance through secondary devices or another individual feeding answers
- Virtual machines or remote-desktop software that conceal a second AI session from proctoring systems
“The common thread is that nearly all of these exploit the same weakness—a static assessment that scores only the final answer without observing how it was produced,” Aditya said. “Our most effective defence is a short live follow-up interview where candidates explain their solution. Most candidates who relied on AI fail within two questions.”
Industry Response: AI Proctoring on the Rise
To combat this, companies are moving away from browser-based assessments. AI-powered proctoring analyses webcam feeds, audio and screen activity to detect suspicious behaviour and safeguard the integrity of large-scale assessments.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Share of companies using proctored technical assessments at start of 2025 | 64% |
| Peak share by July 2025 | 77% |
| Proportion of all technical assessments proctored over the year | Nearly two-thirds (~67%) |
According to HackerEarth’s 2025 Technical Hiring Landscape Report, the share of companies using proctored technical assessments rose from 64% at the beginning of 2025 to a peak of 77% by July. Across the year, nearly two-thirds of all technical assessments were proctored, reflecting growing concern over AI-enabled cheating.
The industry believes many companies still underestimate the scale of the problem because conventional coding tests reveal only the final score—not how it was achieved.
Implications for Enterprise Technology Leaders
For CTOs and technology procurement leaders, the findings underscore a critical blind spot in hiring integrity. As remote and hybrid work persists, the ability to authentically assess technical talent becomes paramount. The data suggests that a combination of AI proctoring and live follow-up interviews provides the most effective defence against sophisticated fraud networks, ensuring that hired developers possess the claimed skills—a concern directly relevant to supply chain software teams where code quality and security are paramount.
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