Re: [tlug] Ghosted?

[Raymond Wan <rwan.kyoto@example.com>]

Hi Chris,


On Tue, Jul 29, 2025 at 5:03 PM Christian Horn <chorn@example.com> wrote:
>
> On Tue, Jul 29, 2025 at 04:39:07PM +0100, Raymond Wan wrote:
> > [job application]
> >
> > But personalised feedback?  I have never heard of that.
> The applicants position got better recently, the interviewer starts to
> ask for something nicely which they can not control: applicants start to
> have LLM listen to the interview and have it write suggested replies to
> the monitor.
> They own the computer, so there is not much the interviewer at the other
> side can do about this.. just ask nicely.


Ah!  It didn't take long for the term "LLM" to appear in this thread.  :-)

Similar to job applications, I was talking to a colleague recently and
he mentioned that the number of graduate school applications increased
noticeably.  Unfortunately, it isn't because many people wanted to
learn.  But because it is now easier to put together an application
(i.e., cover letter, paragraph explaining why you want to do a
graduate degree, etc.) using LLMs.

I still remember the "good ol' days" when application forms were
handwritten and you had to send it off in an envelope with an
application fee (using a cheque!).  Compared to now, the whole process
was primitive, but if someone went through the trouble of doing all
this, they probably really wanted to study.  Probably all this work
ended up being some kind of filter.

If LLMs are increasing the number of applicants, universities have no
choice but to use LLMs to screen applications.  It is almost like some
kind of "arms race" with the two sides using LLMs to try to outsmart
the other side.

But that's university applications...I wouldn't be surprised if job
applications are going down this route to...

> I made a suggestion to solve this with a "cease fire" where also the
> employer commits to not use LLM and other AI models, but I doubt they
> want to commit to that either.

A "cease fire" to the arms race would be nice, but I think LLMs have
been let loose on society.  Few would give up on such an advantage...

I have come across one or two applications.  I spend more time
wondering if LLMs were used than whether or not the candidate is good.
*sigh*

Ray