Consulting firm McKinsey & Company has begun testing a new recruitment tool that requires entry-level job applicants to engage in a 10-minute conversation with an AI simulation of a client. According to reports, the simulation is designed to replicate approximately 80% of the typical scenarios consultants face in their daily work.

Unlike some automated hiring tools that use algorithms to grade applicants, McKinsey’s system does not score the candidates directly. Instead, human evaluators remain present to observe how the applicant handles the simulated interaction. The firm stated that the AI is not intended to act as an "unhinged" or overly difficult client, but rather as a realistic professional counterpart. The tool is currently in a testing phase as the firm looks for ways to standardize the assessment of soft skills and professional adaptability during the hiring process.