Conversing With AI

I've been reluctant to have conversations with computers.

Sure, I've 'chatted' with LLMs (ChatGPT and Perplexity) when I've used them for advanced searches on the Internet. I've even used them to hash out technical aspects of my novel, Dark Water, investigating legal and forensic aspects of the story to see if my ideas are realistic or make any sense.

Last fall, when I started looking for work, I was saddened to see that so many writing jobs were out there, whereby you would be teaching an AI tool to be better at writing or communicating in other ways. I didn't apply to any of these jobs because I didn't want to teach a machine to do the work of a human.

And when I saw other jobs listed which stated that part of the interview process would be talking to an AI bot, I also declined the job. My thoughts were (and are) that if a company can't be bothered to take the time to get to know you, why would you want to work for them?

So, every day, when I've searched job listings and have seen positions for which I'm easily qualified, if not over-qualified, I've looked no further than seeing that AI would be involved in the interview process, and have chosen to not apply. And in most cases, the job description didn't appeal to me, so why would I go through that process if I didn't really want the job.

And, sadly, it seems like this is the standard for job applications, these days.

Yesterday, when going through the job listings, I came across a position that looked fun. It was a job that required writing descriptions for images. I would have to replicate a visual prompt with words.

Basically, I'd be writing ALT text.

Alternative (ALT) text is a short written description of an image that allows screen readers to explain the visual to people who can’t see it. In other words, it’s the polite narrator of the internet, quietly telling everyone what’s going on in the picture so that no one is left out.

I already write ALT text whenever I post an image on social media. For example, most days, I share a random photo of the day on Bluesky. In the ALT text area, I'll write out a description of whatever image I've posted, and I'll do it in a way that paints a narrative of the subject and its surroundings. As a bonus, I may write about where the photo was taken, the equipment that I used (if I can remember what I used), and the circumstances that led me to taking the picture.

In this job, I'd be doing the same thing, only I'd be describing someone else's image. And getting paid for it.

As I started the online process of applying for the job, I learned that I would have to take a 15-minute online interview that would be conducted by an AI bot. I was about to back out of the application process but something made me stop and think.

Yes, the $80–120-an-hour wage was a factor, but I started thinking that this job was the first in a long time that really interested me. I've wanted to find a job that would bring me joy for the remaining few years I had before I officially retired, and I thought that this job would accomplish that goal.

I also thought that writing descriptive passages of a visual would help with my creative-writing skills, which I think need to be kept sharp. Technical writing certainly doesn't do that.

So I completed the application process, after which I needed to plug in my Web cam and put my headset on. The interview was to happen immediately.

Image: Perplexity

I thought it was funny that the AI tool needed me to have a video camera to capture me through the interview, whilst I was looking at a digital sphere that would wobble when I spoke to it or when it spoke. (I learned that I also need better lighting for where I sit at my desk, as the window that is behind me and looks out onto my front porch causes me to be backlit and in silhouette).

The connection for the interview was dodgy, where the disembodied female voice would sometimes break up or the sphere would disappear, replaced by a message that indicated our connection was lost. I was glad to discover that when connectivity was restored, the AI bot would know that we were temporarily disconnected and either repeat its question or ask me to repeat myself, letting me know the last thing it heard me say.

When the interview ended, it promptly disconnected me and a message informed me that the interview successfully concluded. The next step is to speak to a real person, once the interview had been assessed.

And so I wait.

I remember balking when video interviews were conducted, rather than an actual sit-down, face-to-face meeting. I also remember online applications where you had to be careful in placing specific keywords in your résumé to make sure the scanning program could flag you as a potential candidate. With this interview, the AI tool scanned my general résumé and was able to pull information that it found relevant, including bringing up my creative writing and novels.

The bot sounded artificial in its cadence and tone, but the actual words it used, and how they were put together, sounded almost human. It wasn't as bad an experience as I thought it would be.

So, is this the new normal for job hunting? Will I participate in another AI interview? It really all comes down to the job and whether I feel such an interview will be worth my time.

Wish me luck that I make it to the next round.