By late 2026, the major consulting firms are using AI in recruiting in three main ways: as a screening format (such as BCG's chatbot-based online case), as a preparation tool for candidates (such as McKinsey's AI Prep Tool), and as a piloted part of the interview itself, where candidates work with an AI assistant or talk to an AI-simulated client. The traditional case interview remains central, and humans still make the hiring decisions. Many details are still pilots that vary by office, so check with your recruiter.
What is McKinsey doing?
Official position
McKinsey's careers site describes how AI fits into its recruiting:
- AI doesn't make hiring decisions. McKinsey says AI isn't used to make autonomous hiring or interview-selection decisions, and recruiters and interviewers decide who moves forward.
- AI Prep Tool. Candidates invited to interview get access to an AI Prep Tool for practising the quantitative portion of the case interview. Business Insider reported in May 2026 that the tool launched in April 2026.
- Pilots. McKinsey says it is piloting a small number of AI-enabled interview experiences.
- Rules for candidates. McKinsey encourages using AI to polish a CV, practise interview questions and explain concepts, but does not allow generating real-time answers during interviews, using AI during assessments unless specifically permitted, or exaggerating achievements. Its virtual interview tips ask candidates to disable AI note-taking tools and assistants.
The Lilli pilot
In January 2026, the Financial Times reported, and other outlets repeated, that McKinsey was piloting interviews where candidates use Lilli, its internal generative AI platform, to work through a case. In a CaseCoach interview published in September 2026, McKinsey's Global Leader for Talent Attraction, Marie Christine Padberg, described an AI-assisted case that is similar in length to a normal case, typically replaces one of the usual case interviews, counts towards decisions where it is used, may feel more free-flowing, and is more likely to be encountered in European offices for now. Earlier reports differed: StrategyCase described the Lilli pilot as running in final rounds mostly for US business analyst candidates from January 2026, and Management Consulted described it as a non-evaluative pilot, so the format and geography have evolved.
The AI client avatar
In October 2026, The Wall Street Journal reported that McKinsey is piloting a roughly 10-minute conversation with an AI simulation of a client for potentially hundreds of undergraduate business analyst candidates in some North American offices, with wider use expected next year if the pilot succeeds. Human assessors observe and score, and the AI does not grade candidates. Salim Zafar, the McKinsey partner who designed the tool, told the WSJ it is not meant to mimic "an unhinged client", asks no trick questions and reflects roughly 80% of the scenarios consultants meet.
What is BCG doing?
Online case ("Casey")
BCG's online case is a chatbot-led case assessment. Prep providers commonly describe it as one business case with roughly 8–10 questions over about 25–35 minutes, followed by a short recorded video recommendation. BCG's Stockholm internship page describes an online case of 8–10 multiple-choice, short-answer and fill-in questions plus a video question. Format and timing vary by office.
AI pilots
In the same CaseCoach article (by founder Enguerran Loos, 28 September 2026), BCG's Global Recruiting Executive Director, Adele Lomax, described pilots that CaseCoach reported are running in "a select set of offices", with BCG not yet aligned on a single worldwide approach. The pilots include:
- Giving candidates access to an LLM as a tool during a live case
- Competency-based questions about candidates' experience with AI
- An online assessment asking how candidates would use AI in different scenarios
BCG says performance in these pilots is "one input of many" for generalist candidates rather than a standalone filter, and that prompt writing is seen as a teachable skill.
What is Bain doing?
Bain has said less about the format. Its global head of talent acquisition, Ron Kermisch, is quoted by CaseCoach as saying candidates should "expect to use AI in the interview process", and he told CaseCoach directly that "Bain is trialing different approaches in different situations". Bain discussed AI's impact on its hiring in an August 2026 episode of its Beyond the Bio podcast. Bain has also emphasised "technical curiosity" as a trait it looks for. Some prep sites claim specific Bain formats, but these aren't confirmed by Bain.
Is AI-skills testing widespread yet?
Not yet. CaseCoach reported that, in its survey of hundreds of candidates who interviewed with McKinsey, BCG or Bain over summer 2026, none reported being tested on AI skills. The pilots are real but limited.
What are firms actually assessing with AI?
Across firm statements, the consistent message is that they're not testing technical AI expertise or prompt engineering. They want to see whether you:
- Lead the problem-solving yourself
- Use AI selectively where it adds value
- Challenge and verify AI output
- Own and defend your final answer
- Show curiosity about new tools
How should candidates prepare?
- Keep core case skills first. BCG's Adele Lomax told CaseCoach that "the problem-solving case interview remains a key part of our assessment process", and McKinsey's Marie Christine Padberg said the firm is not getting rid of cases.
- Get comfortable using AI critically. Practise using an LLM to research a sector or check a hypothesis, then verify its claims.
- Prepare an AI story. Be ready to discuss how you've used AI in study or work: what worked, what didn't and what you learned.
- Ask your recruiter whether your interviews include an AI component.
- Follow the rules. Never use AI during live interviews or assessments unless explicitly permitted.
Practising with AI tools, including dedicated case interviewers like caize.ai, builds case skills and familiarity with AI interaction at the same time. Just keep it to preparation.
FAQ
Do consulting firms use AI to reject candidates automatically?
McKinsey states that AI does not make autonomous hiring decisions. Policies at other firms vary, so check each firm's statements.
Will I have to use AI in my McKinsey interview?
Possibly, in some offices and roles where pilots are running. Ask your recruiter.
Can I use ChatGPT during a video interview?
No, unless explicitly permitted. Firms like McKinsey prohibit real-time AI assistance.
Is BCG's Casey "AI"?
It's a chatbot-led assessment. How it's scored isn't fully public, so treat claims about its AI scoring with caution.
