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The AI-enabled coding round

  • AI coding round
  • Asked often
  • About 2 h to learn
  • 3 vetted resources
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What this topic covers

Some companies now let you use an AI assistant during a coding interview, usually in a multi-file codebase rather than a single function. You're judged on how you orient yourself in unfamiliar code, plan, steer the AI, verify its output and keep talking to the interviewer. Policies differ: some companies require AI in this round, others ban it in every live interview.

Leads to

You’re ready when you can

What interviewers check, from the resources below.

  • Name the four areas this round is evaluated on
  • Describe how you'd orient yourself in an unfamiliar multi-file codebase in 5 minutes
  • Explain how you verify AI-written code before moving on
  • Describe the three phases (bug fixing, core implementation, optimisation)
  • Have a plan for when the AI is weak or wrong
  • Narrate your reasoning while the AI writes code
  • State where AI is allowed and where it isn't, for this company
  • Name what AI may help with in prep (refining, practising) and what must be yours (first drafts, real experiences, take-homes)
  • Explain why you should ask the recruiter about AI policy for every loop

What to study, in order

Each link opened and checked by hand; the date says when.

  1. Start here

    Introduction to AI-Enabled Coding Interviews (opens in a new tab)

    Hello Interview · 15 min · Free · checked 20 Oct 2026

    Why
    The only structured prep for this new round type, including what interviewers actually score.
    What to read
    Read the introduction and the Fundamentals list: codebase orientation, planning, driving the AI, verification, communication.
    What to skip
    The individual problem breakdowns until you've read the fundamentals.

  2. Free alternative

    Meta's AI-Enabled Coding Interview: How to Prepare (opens in a new tab)

    Hello Interview · Evan King · 20 min · Free · checked 20 Oct 2026

    Why
    A concrete, company-specific breakdown of the format: what the environment looks like and how the time is split.
    What to read
    Read “The environment”, “The three phases” and “How Meta evaluates you”.
    What to skip
    “Known problems”: don't memorise problems, practise the workflow.

  3. Go deeper

    Guidance on Candidates' AI Usage (opens in a new tab)

    Anthropic · 5 min · Free · checked 20 Oct 2026

    Why
    AI policies differ by company. This is a primary source for one that bans AI in live interviews unless stated otherwise.
    What to read
    Read the whole page (last updated 10 Jul 2025).
    What to skip
    Nothing; it's short.

Companies that test AI coding round most

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