Physix FrontierPhysix Frontier · News Briefing Card (Hacker News · Oct 15, 2026)
AI Interview Index Tracks Companies' Differing AI Use Policies
KEY FACTS
- Anthropic bans AI by default in onsite interviews, while some take-home assignments explicitly allow it.
- Canva permits AI tools in interviews but requires candidates to explain their output.
- Coinbase redesigned interview questions because old problems could be solved by AI.
- DigitalOcean replaced phone screens and algorithmic onsite interviews with a three-hour AI-assisted build.
- GitLab's employee handbook states that AI use is encouraged in the interview process.
PHYSIX OBSERVATION
This index shows companies are moving from one-size-fits-all to distinguishing AI use by round: some use no-AI rounds to test thinking, others use AI rounds to test engineering efficiency. For job seekers, preparing for interviews is no longer just grinding problems; they must also understand each company's AI policy to avoid being eliminated for misusing tools.
Source: Hacker News report