I had roughly 5 interviews at the last place. Then they said I had to do one with the VP. Told the recruiter I was getting fed up and suddenly it was waived. Don’t be afraid to push back (unless you are desperate).
Much later on while helping with interviews myself there, I asked why they had this terrible process and they said it was because people were caught cheating with AI. I asked why they didn’t do in-person to prevent that. Fly them out. If they’re invested, and truly interested, they’ll do it. Then I realized my folly after they didn’t have an answer - they’re cheap fucks.