Back in 2018, we introduced something revolutionary to the Malaysian hiring scene: our Artificially Intelligent Virtual Interviewer, or AIVI for short, created to help employers screen candidates faster and more effectively than ever before.Built into our in-platform chat system, AIVI was designed to automate the time-consuming early stages of recruitment. It helped employers like you uncover high-potential candidates beyond just what was written on a resume by sending customizable screening questions, collecting responses, and summarizing the answers neatly in one place.Over the years, AIVI screened tens of thousands of candidates, saving hiring managers hours of manual review, and helping them focus on quality over quantity.Here’s a quick look at why we built AIVI in the first place, why we are retiring AIVI on the 31st of December 2025, and what we’ve lined up to take its place. Why We Built AIVI in the First PlaceWe saw the same frustration over and over again:❌ Resumes that looked good but didn’t reflect real skill❌ Candidates who ghosted interviews❌ Hours wasted on phone screenings that went nowhereSo we created AIVI to solve that.AIVI let employers:Ask custom screening questions tailored to the roleAutomatically message every candidate who appliedGet AI-generated summaries and transcripts of their responsesIdentify red flags early or uncover hidden gems In short, AIVI helped hiring teams screen faster, more consistently, and with less guesswork. But Hiring Has Changed — and So Has TechnologyToday, AI tools like ChatGPT are widely accessible to everyone including jobseekers. More and more candidates now use generative AI to answer virtual interview questions. That means the same automation that once helped you spot genuine interest is now being used by candidates to craft perfect-sounding answers regardless of whether they’re truly a fit.This shift has made AIVI less effective at serving her original purpose. And with fewer employers using our manual chat tool (where AIVI also lived), it’s become clear that it’s time for something new. What’s ChangingOn 31 December 2025, we’ll be officially retiring:AIVI – our virtual interviewerThe in-platform chat feature including manual messaging with candidates Here’s how this affects you:❌ You will no longer be able to use AIVI or send messages via chat❌ Historical chat data (manual messages) will be permanently deleted✅ AIVI interview transcripts will still be accessible in your dashboardWhat’s Replacing AIVI and In-Platform Chat?While AIVI and the chat tab are going away, we’ve introduced something faster, simpler, and more personal:🎯 Click to WhatsAppNo more waiting for replies in-platform. Now, you can:Instantly contact candidates via WhatsAppStart real conversations in a familiar environmentReach jobseekers where they’re most active This shift reflects what we’ve always aimed for a more human, more efficient way to hire.Want a Refresher on AIVI?In case this is your first time hearing about AIVI (or Ashley AI, as she was later known), here’s a quick guide showing how she worked complete with screenshots and examples of what candidates would see:👉 How to Use Hiredly’s AI Virtual InterviewerWhat You Should Do NowYou can continue using AIVI and in-platform chat until 31 December 2025. If you’re still actively using AIVI, feel free to keep going. She’ll remain fully available right up until her retirement date.Start transitioning to WhatsApp outreach. The new WhatsApp feature is already available. You can message candidates directly from their profile and we recommend making the switch soon for a smoother experience.Review any active conversations or workflows tied to chat. Since manual chat history will not be saved, make sure to wrap up or document anything important before it’s removed.No action is needed to save AIVI transcripts. They’ll remain accessible in your dashboard even after AIVI is retired.For questions or help, reach us at employer@hiredly.com or WhatsApp us at +6011 5589 9368Thank You for Being Part of AIVI’s JourneyFrom the thousands of candidates she helped screen to the countless hours she saved, AIVI has been a big part of how hiring evolved at Hiredly. We’re proud of what she stood for and we’re just as excited about what’s next.Here’s to a smarter, faster way to connect with talent. About HiredlyHiredly is a leading recruitment platform in Malaysia, specialising in professional and executive talent. Our modern, rich-media platform levels the playing field for all employers, big or small, by helping them build their employer brand and attract top-tier talent. At the same time, our AI-powered Job Discovery features, combined with deeper insights into company culture and values, help candidates find the right fit.The platform also includes an integrated recruitment agency, Hiredly X, creating a true hybrid model. Unlike traditional agencies, Hiredly X has native, exclusive access to a live, self-updating talent database. This gives them a clear edge, as most agencies depend on limited, third-party access to external job platforms. For employers, this seamless integration means access to unique candidates and a faster, more efficient hiring process.For more information or to start hiring smarter, visit hiredly.com/employer