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Showing the potential of artificial intelligence to reimagine the job-recruitment process, Walmart is piloting a new AI Interview Coach tool to help prospective candidates prepare for their interview.
Simulating a realistic Walmart interview, candidates answer up to 10 questions, are scored for each response on a 1-10 scale, and receive pointers on structure, clarity and confidence.
“Whether you’re preparing for your first hourly job or aiming for a leadership role, this practice environment with actionable feedback builds skill and self-assurance,” said Walmart. “This will give talented candidates a better chance of landing jobs they’re qualified for but might miss out on due to interviewing poorly.”
Walmart said the tool, currently being piloted with associates, will be offered to all applicants, both internal and external, if it performs as expected.
AI Increasingly Becoming a Regular Part of the Job Hunting and Hiring Process, Despite Concerns
The 2025 Market Trend Report from recruitment firm Career Group found 65% of job candidates using AI at some point in the job application process. Of those using AI in their job hunt, the biggest use case was for cover letter, 20%; resume writing, 19%; for their headshot, 9%; and for interview practice, 7%.
For hiring professionals, AI adoption has shifted from experimentation to full-scale implementation globally, according to hiring platform HireVue’s 2025 Global Guide to AI in Hiring.
The poll of more than 4,000 HR leaders and employees found AI adoption among HR professionals surged to 72% in 2025, up from 58% in 2024. Of the HR leaders, 63% cited greater productivity as an AI benefit, with 55% automating manual tasks and 52% improving business efficiency. Respondents trusting AI-powered hiring recommendations rose to 53% versus 39% last year.
HireVue’s survey still found HR leaders had numerous concerns, including about misinformation and job replacement, both cited by 51% of respondents; security risks, 47%; legal compliance, 45%; candidate perceptions, 42%; and biased recommendations, 41%.
Employees responses to the HireVue survey found mixed sentiment about the potential of AI in hiring with 57% thinking AI use in hiring would reduce racial/ethnic bias and 46% believing AI would treat applicants more fairly than humans.
A survey of 1,000 Americans conducted for Newsweek last October identified skepticism from applicants around AI with 43% expressing discomfort with the idea of AI conducting a job interview, 32% comfortable with it, and 26% unsure.
"Certain AI applications, like scheduling or data analysis, are welcomed because they simplify life without stripping it of its human touch,” Lars Nyman, chief marketing officer of CUDO Compute told Newsweek. “In contrast, when AI steps into roles requiring empathy and judgment, like job interviews, the reception is chillier.”