Nearly eight out of ten managers write evaluations with AI

According to Highwire, 78% of managers have turned to AI to prepare performance evaluations, but only 16% of employees report being informed about it. Employees find this feedback to be sometimes more precise, sometimes more generic, or less useful. Meanwhile, nearly one in four now rehearse difficult conversations with an AI tool, and offerings like Sessions from Synthesia are emerging, although there is no evidence of effectiveness at this stage.

Results to Handle with Caution and Effectiveness Still Unestablished

No consolidated data yet allows for an assessment of the effectiveness of AI-assisted training for employees. The interpretation of the figures presented must be nuanced, particularly due to the intentions behind the survey. Highwire positions itself on human-led professional training focused on interpersonal skills, claiming to "condition human skills that cannot be automated." This positioning does not necessarily include teaching managers to delegate responsibilities to AI, nor does it suggest that rehearsing with AI is an alternative to preparation between employees and managers. At the same time, Highwire's approach and Synthesia's investment in Sessions reflect a trend towards simulation in the workplace, with a growing role for AI in learning. Some employees may consider AI-generated evaluations that are deemed unhelpful to be of low quality.

Massive Use of AI by Managers and Low Transparency

Highwire surveyed 1,034 corporate employees about the influence of AI in managerial relationships. 78% of managers report having used AI to write, edit, summarize, or inform feedback or evaluations over the past year, and most believe this has accelerated preparation. Highwire clarifies that it did not ask managers for further observations on the use of AI. On the employee side, only 16% of non-managers say they were informed that AI had influenced their evaluation. Regarding perceived quality, 54% find the feedback more specific and actionable, 34% find it more generic, and 32% find it less useful. The intervention of AI can range from simple formatting or summarizing human observations to the complete drafting of an evaluation based on performance data. According to Atlassian, claiming the use of AI at work can have negative consequences, which may impact transparency.

Preparing for Conversations: An Expressed Need and Use of AI

Nearly one in four employees now rehearse difficult conversations at work with an AI tool. Only 44% report receiving support from their manager to practice a high-stakes discussion or other delicate situations, while 85% believe that practice is essential. In this context, AI fills a gap in the preparation for professional conversations.

Synthesia Offers Sessions to Practice with AI Avatars

Synthesia has unveiled Sessions, an option that allows users to practice dialogues with an artificial intelligence avatar and receive feedback from an AI coach. According to the company, this tool was developed in response to client feedback seeking to increase opportunities for managerial exchanges without adding to the burden on HR teams, while emphasizing that Sessions does not replace mentoring. According to its clients, this solution could address certain training deficiencies that had not yet found a response. Sessions resembles an automated and large-scale version of the individual training typically provided by managers.