How AI is Easing the Self-Appraisal Process for Employees and Managers
The Challenges of Performance Reviews
The Reality of Performance Evaluations
Performance reviews are often met with apprehension. Many employees find it daunting to assess their performance over an entire year, especially when it requires highlighting achievements amidst numerous daily tasks. Women, in particular, may face difficulties in promoting their accomplishments during these evaluations. Recently, artificial intelligence (AI) has shown promise in alleviating some of these challenges.
A survey conducted by Microsoft’s Work Trend Index in 2024 indicated that 75% of global knowledge workers, including professionals like architects and engineers, are utilizing AI in their roles. In 2023, Oracle introduced an AI-driven performance review system, where 89% of employees expressed a willingness to be early adopters, reflecting a strong desire for more effective evaluation processes. According to Triparna de Vreede, an assistant professor specializing in human-AI interaction, this interest demonstrates a significant need for innovative methods in performance assessment.
Limitations of Traditional Performance Reviews
Traditional performance reviews can often be highly subjective. According to de Vreede, these assessments frequently involve power dynamics that complicate their effectiveness. Employees may believe they are performing well, but they might not fully understand their contributions to the company’s strategic goals or overall success.
Additionally, the tendency to focus on recent events can overshadow an employee’s entire year of hard work. De Vreede highlights the common occurrence where a single mistake or setback can overshadow months of excellent performance. AI-driven reviews may help fill these gaps by providing feedback that aligns with company objectives and helps create a more standardized evaluation process, reducing the potential for bias.
The Benefits of AI-Assisted Reviews
AI tools can serve as impartial listeners, encouraging employees to express their accomplishments more freely. With AI evaluations, there is a perception that judgments will be fairer compared to those made by a direct supervisor.
In traditional settings, managers may struggle to analyze their team members’ complete work due to limitations in accessing data. Research by Dorothy Leidner, an expert in business and AI ethics, revealed that employees often misjudge their digital skills. Her collaboration with Johnson & Johnson demonstrated that AI could effectively analyze digital traces and HR data to ascertain employee competencies more accurately than self-evaluations.
Specific Challenges for Women in Performance Reviews
For many women, self-evaluations present unique hurdles. Language bias is prevalent, with studies indicating that women are often described with terms that can imply they are emotional or overly dramatic, while men are more frequently viewed as assertive. An analysis by the management platform Textio found that 38% of performance review language for high-performing women was laden with clichés or fixed-mindset labels. Additionally, self-perception plays a role; a 2022 study demonstrated that women tend to rate their performance significantly lower than men do.
Women’s roles often include taking on invisible tasks, leading to feelings of burnout and inadequate recognition. AI could mitigate this issue by consistently tracking achievements, allowing women to communicate their contributions confidently despite feelings of imposter syndrome.
The Importance of Human Involvement
While various companies, such as Oracle and Textio, have developed AI tools for performance reviews, it’s essential to recognize the importance of human feedback in these processes. Clear privacy policies and transparency are necessary to ensure employees understand how their data will be used.
De Vreede emphasizes the significance of keeping humans "in the loop" during evaluations to ensure essential soft skills—such as communication and likeability—are not overlooked. AI can drive the evaluation process but should not be solely relied upon; individuals should still engage in reflection and refine their self-assessments. Collaboration between AI capabilities and personal insight can produce more comprehensive performance analyses.
In summary, leveraging AI in performance reviews could transform how employees present their achievements while minimizing biases. However, it’s crucial to strike a balance that recognizes the value of individual insights alongside technological innovations.
