Braintrust AIR is an AI recruiter that runs adaptive first-round interviews in your browser on your own schedule and scores them against a rubric for the role. Plan for about 15 to 20 minutes and treat each answer as final. This page explains what Braintrust AIR is, what the interview is like, what it scores, the rules and practicalities, and how to prepare. We researched Braintrust AIR's own candidate pages and independent reports in November 2026; employers configure these tools differently, so your invitation has the final word.
What Braintrust AIR is
Braintrust describes AIR as a conversational voice interview; an earlier FAQ called it live AI video, and Fortune's 2024 test was voice-only. Fortune named Nestlé and Guardian Life as launch clients. AIR does not automatically accept or reject anyone.
What the interview is like
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Format | An adaptive AI interview in the browser, described by Braintrust as conversational voice |
| How you get it | An automatic invitation from the employer's applicant tracking system |
| Length | Braintrust recommends 15 to 20 minutes; Fortune's test ran about 10 |
| Follow-ups | Questions adapt to your earlier answers |
| Languages | More than 16 |
What it scores
- Rubric competencies such as communication, depth, fit, problem solving, collaboration, adaptability, role knowledge, motivation and language.
- Scoring is based on the transcript, not your appearance or voice.
- Fraud and identity signals.
Rules and practicalities
- There is typically one chance per question.
- You can usually resume after a disconnect.
- The employer sets a retake limit; at the limit you can file one retake request per job with a reason, and the decision is final.
- Braintrust's suggested candidate rules ban real-time answer generation and stand-ins.
How to prepare
- Block 15 to 20 quiet minutes.
- Treat each answer as final, so pause and think before you speak.
- If a technical failure uses up your retakes, request an exception with a clear reason.
- Prepare stories for the competencies in the job description.
Answering well when an AI is asking
- Look at the camera, not your own image, and keep your face lit from the front.
- Answer in a clear structure: the situation, what you did, and the result, in about a minute or two.
- Use specific examples with numbers; AI scoring rewards concrete evidence of the skills in the job description.
- Pause briefly to think rather than filling silence with filler words.
For a free practice routine, see how to practice for an AI interview for free. Other AI interviewers work differently, so compare the HireVue AI interview, the Mercor AI interview and the Paradox Olivia interview.
Your rights and what happens next
After a Braintrust AIR interview, a recruiter usually reviews the scores, transcript or recording, often within days, and decides whether to move you forward; most vendors say a human makes the decision. If you hear nothing in a week or two, a short, polite follow-up to the recruiter is reasonable.
Depending on where you live, the law may give you rights over automated interviews. Illinois requires employers to explain and get consent before using AI to analyze video interviews, New York City requires bias audits and advance notice for automated hiring tools, and the EU AI Act treats AI used in recruitment as high risk. You can ask the employer how your recording is stored and who reviews it, and request an alternative if you need an accommodation.
Where CoPilot Interview fits
AI-led interviews are screening rounds you take on your own, and they almost always forbid outside help; some log tab switches, pasted text or a second voice. So the useful preparation is practice. CoPilot Interview is an AI interview assistant; its free AI mock interview builds questions from your résumé and the job description, reads them aloud and scores each spoken answer out of ten, which is close to how many AI interviewers work. The free plan gives 15 minutes a day of live help in sessions of up to 15 minutes, with AI mock interviews included. On the day, follow your employer's rules and the instructions in your invitation.
Disclosure: CoPilot Interview is our product, so weigh what we say about it accordingly.
Frequently asked questions
What is Braintrust AIR?
Braintrust's AI recruiter, which runs adaptive first-round interviews on your schedule and scores them against the role's rubric.
How long is the AIR interview?
Braintrust recommends 15 to 20 minutes.
Can I redo an answer?
Typically there is one chance per question. If you hit the retake limit after a technical problem, you can request one retake per job.
Does AIR decide if I am hired?
No. Braintrust says AIR does not automatically accept or reject candidates.
Can I use an AI assistant during my Braintrust AIR interview?
No. AI-led screening interviews are meant to be answered on your own, and many log signals such as tab switches, pasted text or another voice. Practice beforehand instead, and follow your employer's rules.
Practice this interview before the real one
The AI mock interview builds questions from your resume and the job description, reads them aloud and scores each spoken answer out of 10. Included on the free plan.
Start a mock interview