"I wish to register a complaint.. This AI is dead.."
September 4, 2025
My frustration with the use of AI in the recruitment process.. Actually, the lack thereof.
Any Monty Python fan can quote The Parrot Sketch to you.. A man goes into a shop and complains about the parrot he bought half an hour previously, which is not showing any signs of life. Michael Palin as the shopkeeper, doing all that he can to convince John Cleese that the parrot is very much alive. Hilarity ensues, and a comedy classic is born.
It’s not usually my style to share complaints during the early stages of a job search – but sometimes it’s important to raise awareness to prevent others from facing the same barriers.
Last month, I applied for a role with a major public sector organisation. After passing the first stage, I was invited to deliver a presentation via Teams summarising my relevant experience. I had prepared extensively and was proud of the content I was ready to share.
Like many people, my handwriting is… let’s say “distinctive” (some might call it illegible!). To help me focus during discussions, I occasionally use Fireflies AI, a note-taking app that records and transcribes meetings so I can fully engage in the conversation. I don’t use it on every call, but it’s installed on my laptop as a productivity aid.
On the day of the presentation, however, I was told the meeting would be postponed because the app had been detected.
Shortly after, I was informed that the interview was cancelled altogether.
This left me with two key concerns:
Fairness – A simple reschedule would have been a reasonable adjustment, especially as no guidance was provided in advance about disabling software of this nature.
Understanding of Technology – The assumption that the app could offer an “unfair advantage” shows a worrying lack of awareness. The tool isn’t live, it doesn’t provide prompts or answers – it merely creates a transcript after the fact. In essence, it’s no different from recording a meeting for later reference.
This experience highlights a broader issue: organisations risk disadvantaging candidates, and indeed themselves, if they do not keep pace with the realities of modern tools.
Technology like AI-enabled productivity apps is now part of everyday working life. To dismiss or fear them without understanding only creates unnecessary barriers. It turned into a farce that Monty Python would have been proud of, and I was refused to present on this basis. Indeed, it has caused me to go full on Cleese and make a complaint. Something that I don't do lightly, and especially for an organisation that I truly respect and that my family has extensive family history working for over the years.
Yet, I feel that I have to make a complaint. I am acting in this case as a change agent. I want to ensure that this is a wake-up call that the world of AI doesn't need 'knee-jerk' reactions but measured and intelligent responses.
I should know.. I am an honorary Python..
Terry Gilliam and your author
I joke, of course.. This is me and the great director and Python Terry Gilliam at a charity event at London's Roundhouse a few years back. A lovely gent. I can assure you that the 'gumby' look isn't my go-to on dress-down days.
If we are serious about digital transformation, fairness, and inclusion, then we must create recruitment processes that reflect how professionals actually work today.
In a very difficult and pressured recruitment environment. We need recruiters to be clear and supportive of new technology and not to dismiss based on misunderstanding. I am very interested to hear what the formal response will be to this complaint.
Conversely, I have just successfully passed the first stage interview for another organisation, which was carried out by.. An AI Bot! You can't make it up. The ultimate irony is that the very thing that would be assumed to prevent progression has actually enabled me. I provided freehand answers that were assessed fairly, and this has led to my next meeting to be with a human briefed on my feedback. Perfect, a fair and reasonable use of AI.
I have updated this with a little humour, but I cannot underestimate how demoralising and disappointed I was by the feedback regarding the interview rejection. In my 30 professional years, I have never encountered such a situation and especially when it was out of my control. I encourage recruitment teams to review and consider this when advertising roles and interviewing.
I am happy to support you should you wish to gain an understanding of my personal experience in this area. Please get in touch, you can find my details on www.tdii.co.uk.
Thanks for your time reading this article.. I can assure you.. The parrot is not dead..
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