How to answer AI interview questions without faking enthusiasm

Job candidates can turn the tables and ask about the employer's AI approach. Asking how the company uses the technology, what tools employees rely on, and what expectations exist for daily use shows curiosity, Osman said. "It shows curiosity and to see where the company's headed," he said.

What to say when you are skeptical

Candidates who are skeptical of AI do not need to fake it, Monster career expert Vicki Salemi said. She recommends answering questions about the technology honestly and briefly. "Brevity is key without being curt about it," Salemi said.

Candidates who have not used AI much do not have to apologize for it. She said they can explain they have not had many opportunities in their roles, then ask the interviewer how AI fits into the team's work. That approach shows a willingness to learn without overstating experience or enthusiasm, she said.

If a job seeker's concerns center on a specific area – such as the risks AI might pose to creative work – Salemi said it is reasonable to instead emphasize ways they are comfortable using the technology, such as for administrative tasks, scheduling, or logistics. "You can focus on the things where you don't have a moral problem with it," she said.

Being honest about limited experience is one thing. Making opposition to AI the focus of an interview is another, HR analyst Josh Bersin said. If a job seeker tells a recruiter they do not believe in AI, "you may have just lost your opportunity to get a job there," he said.

Bersin said candidates should not assume employers have AI all figured out either. Many companies are still experimenting with where the technology adds value, making it worthwhile to ask questions rather than write them off. "You might get into a conversation with a company that's more interesting than you realized," he said.

Candidates who remain skeptical of AI can still position themselves as strong hires, said Mohit Bhende, CEO of the talent-evaluation platform Karat. He said they should emphasize qualities such as judgment, emotional intelligence, creativity, and problem-solving. "People can thrive, even if they do have that disposition," he said.

As AI becomes a more common workplace tool, Bhende expects interviews to focus less on AI itself and more on how candidates think through problems. "Demonstrate things that you can do that make yourself uniquely able," he said.