Managers are using AI to write performance reviews – and it shows

A new study highlights the growing use of AI in performance reviews by managers. Highwire, a professional development firm, surveyed 1,034 corporate employees and discovered that 78% of managers used AI to assist in drafting, editing, summarizing, or informing feedback or performance reviews in the past year. Most of these managers found AI sped up the preparation process for feedback.

However, only 16% of non-managerial employees were informed that AI influenced their review. This lack of transparency could stem from concerns about appearing unprofessional for using AI.

The study also reveals that 54% of employees found feedback more specific and actionable after AI was involved, while 34% found it more generic and 32% found it less useful. Notably, a third of employees believe their reviews have less value now that AI is involved. Additionally, 25% of employees are now rehearsing difficult workplace conversations with AI, a trend Synthesia, an AI video company, aims to capitalize on with its Sessions feature.

This feature allows employees to practice conversations with an AI avatar and receive an assessment from an AI coach.

Synthesia developed this feature based on feedback from enterprise customers who want to expand access to managerial touchpoints without stretching human resources. However, Synthesia emphasizes that Sessions is not a replacement for mentorship. The findings from Highwire and Synthesia indicate a growing trend of using AI to simulate real-world scenarios, thereby enhancing employee learning and development. Nonetheless, the effectiveness of such training remains to be seen.