When Anita came into the hub recently, she had exciting news. She had secured a job interview.

The role was for a Support Officer, and understandably, she was nervous. Together, we looked through the job description and person specification before using Google’s Gemini to generate some likely interview questions.

We then worked through possible answers, using the STAR approach (Situation, Task, Action and Result) to help structure her responses. We explored examples from her own experience and discussed how she could demonstrate the skills and qualities the employer was looking for. We even practised a couple of questions she could ask at the end of the interview.

On the surface, it might have looked like a session about artificial intelligence. But it wasn’t. It was about confidence.

As we talked, it became clear that Anita was carrying much more than interview nerves. Like many people who come through our doors, life had been difficult. Financial worries were weighing heavily on her mind, and she spoke about the importance of finding work and rebuilding some stability for the future.

What struck us was how quickly practical support and emotional support became intertwined. One moment we were talking about interview techniques; the next, we were talking about hope.

This is often what digital inclusion looks like.

People don’t arrive saying they need “AI skills”. They arrive because they need a job, they are worried about paying the bills, or they simply need someone to believe in them. Artificial intelligence didn’t replace the human element in that conversation. In many ways, it strengthened it.

Using Gemini meant we could quickly generate realistic interview questions and spend less time worrying about what might come up and more time focusing on helping Anita recognise the strengths and experiences she already had.

AI became a confidence-building tool. And perhaps that’s where the real opportunity lies.

Much of the debate around artificial intelligence focuses on what jobs it might replace. But for people who are unemployed, under pressure or lacking confidence, AI can be something else entirely.

It can be a practice partner. It can help overcome language barriers. It can make professional support available to people who could never afford a career coach. And it can help people tell their own stories more clearly.

As we finished, we talked about making sure she had examples ready for every part of the job description and walked through some final preparations.

Ultimately, no AI tool will sit in that interview chair for Anita. She will. But if technology can help someone walk into an interview feeling more prepared, more confident and more hopeful than they did the day before, then perhaps that’s one of the most human uses of AI there is.

Because digital inclusion isn’t really about technology. It’s about creating opportunities.

And sometimes, opportunity starts with someone saying:

“I’ve got an interview on Friday.”

We offer free access to the Google AI Professional Certificate and run new cohorts twice a month. For more information please email hello@startpoint.org.uk