Meta’s decision to allow some candidates to use AI during coding interviews is a refreshing shift (Image Source: Reuters)
Meta will begin allowing candidates to use artificial intelligence during coding tests. The company has also asked existing employees to volunteer for a “mock AI-enabled interview,” as first reported by 404 Media and later confirmed by Meta.
The Silicon Valley heavyweight is among a handful of tech companies that have given the green light to candidates to use AI when applying for jobs. This makes LLM-based cheating less effective, and with that, Meta is signaling support for “vibe coding,” which could become part of the company’s engineering workflow going forward.
What is vibe-coding?
“Vibe coding,” as the name suggests, involves using fast-evolving AI chatbots and other artificial intelligence tools to write software programs. Traditionally, learning to code has been a prerequisite for landing a job at a tech company. However, since the concept of vibe coding was introduced, it has enabled anyone to prototype a product, write code, and bring that product to market at lightning speed. This shift could change the software engineering field and open the door for individuals who never learned to code or attended engineering school but have new product ideas.
AI-powered coding tools have surged in popularity in recent months. Startups like Lovable and Cursor have suddenly gained attention, with investors pouring millions into these companies. These tools lower the entry barrier to software development, and tech companies are taking notice.
Consider designers: instead of relying on software engineers, they can now experiment and bring ideas to life on their own using AI coding tools. While some question whether AI tools might make engineers redundant, others argue that automation will instead help developers by reducing their workload.
Meta’s decision to allow some candidates to use AI during coding interviews is a refreshing shift. Its peers, however, have not been as open to the idea. Amazon, for instance, recently instructed internal recruiters to disqualify candidates found using AI tools during interviews. Meanwhile, OpenAI rival Anthropic initially opposed the use of AI in job applications but later reversed its stance. No wonder all the leading tech companies have either launched AI chatbots or are working on them.
Google enters the vide-coding fray
Google, the company behind the Gemini AI chatbot and various other AI tools, is testing a vibe-coding tool called Opal. It’s currently available in the US through Google Labs, the company’s platform for testing experimental features. Opal allows users to build, edit, and share mini-apps using natural language. All you have to do is enter a description of the app you want to create, and the tool will use different Google models to generate it. Once the app is ready, you can navigate to an editor panel to view the visual workflow of inputs, outputs, and generation steps. You can click on each step to see the prompt that drives the process and edit it if needed.
Anuj Bhatia is a seasoned personal technology writer at indianexpress.com with a career spanning over a decade. Active in the domain since 2011, he has established himself as a distinct voice in tech journalism, specializing in long-form narratives that bridge the gap between complex innovation and consumer lifestyle.
Experience & Career: Anuj has been a key contributor to The Indian Express since late 2016. Prior to his current tenure, he served as a Senior Tech Writer at My Mobile magazine and held a role as a reviewer and tech writer at Gizbot. His professional trajectory reflects a rigorous commitment to technology reporting, backed by a postgraduate degree from Banaras Hindu University.
Expertise & Focus Areas: Anuj’s reporting covers the spectrum of personal technology, characterized by a unique blend of modern analysis and historical context. His key focus areas include:
Core Technology: Comprehensive coverage of smartphones, personal computers, apps, and lifestyle tech.
Deep-Dive Narratives: Specializes in composing longer-form feature articles and explainers that explore the intersection of history, technology, and popular culture.
Global & Local Scope: Reports extensively on major international product launches from industry titans like Apple and Google, while simultaneously covering the ecosystem of indie and home-grown tech startups.
Niche Interests: A dedicated focus on vintage technology and retro gaming, offering readers a nostalgic yet analytical perspective on the evolution of tech.
Authoritativeness & Trust
Anuj is a trusted voice in the industry, recognized for his ability to de-jargonize trending topics and provide context to rapid technological advancements. His authority is reinforced by his on-ground presence at major international tech conferences and his nuanced approach to product reviews. By balancing coverage of the world's most valuable tech brands with emerging startups, he offers a holistic and objective view of the global technology landscape.
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