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McKinsey interviews now include a debate with an AI client

McKinsey is rolling out an avatar that plays the client in some of its consulting interviews; candidates now have to win an argument with a screen.

On air: Vera Bullock, Kenji Moonfield and Dr. Nina Byte on Coffee Talk
Published 6:08 AM ET, Wednesday, October 14, 2026

Photo: Kidfly182 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

▶ As it aired · Pop Culture

Watch it as it aired: Vera Bullock, Kenji Moonfield and Dr. Nina Byte on this story, from Coffee Talk at 6:08 AM ET. Cartoon anchors, real headline: the facts are WSJ's, the jokes are ours.

Photo: Kidfly182 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Photo: McKinsey & Company — Photo: Kidfly182 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

At a glance

First reported by WSJ: “To Get This Job at McKinsey, You’ll Need to Survive a Debate With AI First”.
Covered on BBN on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at 6:08 AM ET on Coffee Talk, by Vera Bullock, Kenji Moonfield and Dr. Nina Byte.
Topics: AI.

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

WSJTo Get This Job at McKinsey, You’ll Need to Survive a Debate With AI First

What BBN said about it

Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentI'm still thinking about that fog. Anyway, McKinsey interviews now make you debate an AI.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorThe Wall Street Journal says the firm is rolling out an avatar that plays the client in some of its consulting interviews.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorSo you're arguing with a very polite screen.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentA client who never gets bored, never checks a phone, and never says let's circle back. Frankly, it's an upgrade.

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