US government to use AI virtual agents as part of interviewing, hiring process - report

The government will be testing the technology by using the platform CodeSignal on the "Tech Force," an initiative started eight months ago to recruit private-sector tech experts.Follow us on GoogleA conceptual illustration of global data networks, proxy servers and artificial intelligence technologies powering modern web data collection.(photo credit: SHUTTERSTOCK)SEPTEMBER 7, 2026 13:25The US federal government will begin incorporating artificial intelligence into the interview and hiring process for some new employees in the coming days, CBS reported on Monday, citing US officials. The government will test the technology using the platform CodeSignal on the "Tech Force," an initiative started eight months ago to recruit private-sector tech experts into two-year government posts, according to one official.The federal government employs 1.9 million workers and has fallen behind the private sector in using AI interviewing tools as the first screening layer for large employers, CBS wrote.AI is already used regularly in the Office of Personnel Management, the government's HR unit, with administrative staff having access to programs including Microsoft's Copilot, Anthropic's Claude, OpenAI's ChatGPT, and Google's Gemini on their government computers. OPM also began using an AI tool to prepare job descriptions earlier this year.OPM urges agencies to use AI The personnel office issued guidance encouraging agencies to use AI in their hiring process with human oversight, especially in certain crucial personnel decisions. Scott Kupor, US President Donald Trump's nominee to be Director of the Office of Personnel Management, speaks during a hearing with the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs on Capitol Hill on April 03, 2025 in Washington, DC. (credit: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)Office director Scott Kupor has pushed to make the federal hiring process more efficient and has encouraged agency heads to hire at least a third of new hires from early-career professionals as the federal workforce continues to age, according to CBS. CodeSignal will provide AI-powered tools to screen job applications in early rounds of the hiring process in the Tech Force hiring pilot program, with virtual AI agents handling interviews with phone, audio, and text-based options. Hiring managers will be sent transcribed recordings of candidates. AI is likely to grow more common in the federal government hiring process, several officials told CBS.Follow us on Google