As a company built on AI, we think deeply about how technology should be used thoughtfully, responsibly, and with clear ownership. That perspective shapes not just the products we build, but how we work together and how we hire at Upstart.
As AI tools become more accessible, we know candidates are using them in different ways throughout the hiring process. Our philosophy on it is simple: we welcome AI when it supports your thinking, but it shouldn’t replace it.
Our Principle
What matters most to us is your judgement, your ideas, and how you choose to use the tools available to you. You should feel confident standing behind what you submit, how you explain it, and how it reflects your own experience.
That expectation mirrors how we work every day. We trust Upstarters to think critically, move with purpose, and use AI responsibly while staying accountable for the outcomes they deliver.
What That Means in Practice
There’s no single “right” way to use AI during our hiring process. Instead, we look for clarity, ownership, and authenticity. Here are a few examples of what thoughtful AI use might look like:
Resumes or writing samples
You might use AI to refine language, reorganize content, or clarify structure. That’s completely fine. What matters is that the work still represents you and that you’re comfortable discussing every detail.
Coding interviews
You may choose to use AI to help generate or debug code. If you do, we ask that you let your interviewer know and walk us through what the tool produced, what you changed, and why. We care far more about how you think than what a tool outputs.
Take-home challenges
You might use AI to organize your response or explore different approaches. Including a short note about how AI shaped your process can help us understand your thinking. Transparency isn’t about disclosure for its own sake, it’s about making your reasoning visible.
Ultimately, we trust your judgment. These examples simply highlight where clarity and ownership matter most.
What We're Really Evaluating
No matter where or how you use AI, we’re focused on:
- Your understanding of the problem
- Your decision-making and judgment
- Your ability to explain your work
- Your ownership of the outcome
AI can help speed things up or offer new perspectives, but it’s your thinking that makes the difference.
Why This Matters to Us
We want our hiring process to truly reflect what it’s like to work here. If our approach resonates with you, take a look at our open roles and see how you can make a meaningful impact with us!
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