The Interview Questions That Reveal True AI Understanding

Most people interact with AI like passengers—typing prompts and hoping for the best. However, the top 1% who extract real value are the drivers—steering AI with precision, context, and intent.

Recently, I listened to Greg Shove on Prof G’s podcast, where he shared an insightful framework for assessing AI literacy in candidates. His approach is straightforward yet effective in uncovering a candidate’s practical use of AI.

Greg’s Two-Question Litmus Test:

1️⃣ Can you steer your AI?

Can you provide context, data, or a persona to elicit exactly what you need—not just generic output? How do you approach this?

2️⃣ Do you have go-to use cases?

Can you name three or more ways AI enhances your productivity or creativity on a daily basis?

Why This Works as a Screening Tool:

If a candidate’s answer is vague (e.g., “I use it to summarize stuff”), they remain a passenger—they’re aware of AI but not leveraging it strategically. Conversely, if they can articulate specific examples (e.g., “I built a workflow that summarizes 50-page PDFs using AI—integrating search, reranking, and evaluation to ensure accuracy and scalability”), they’re driving—and that’s the kind of person you want on your team.

Here’s My Challenge for Both Sides:

👉 If You’re Hiring: Incorporate these two questions into your next interview. Observe how candidates respond. The distinction between passengers and drivers will quickly become apparent.

👉 If You’re Job Searching: List your top three AI use cases, whether personal or professional. If you struggle to identify three that genuinely save you time or enhance your work quality, you may not be ready to answer this question confidently. Start experimenting now!

For Advanced Candidates:

According to Microsoft Research, while many use AI to enhance individual efficiency, truly AI-conscious professionals go further. They identify multi-person workflows where AI can make entire teams faster and more reliable. This shift from individual productivity to organizational leverage is what distinguishes good hires from great ones.

So Here’s My Question:

If I asked you Greg’s two questions in an interview right now, could you provide a compelling answer? What’s one AI use case that has genuinely transformed how you work? (Bonus points if it improved your team’s workflow, not just yours.)