Google’s AI tool used to moderate monthly meetings criticized by employees

Google being one of the frontrunners in the AI race, it was obvious that the technology would make its way into the company’s work culture at some point. Now, that seems to be happening. Google has reportedly introduced a new AI tool to moderate its monthly all-hands meetings. However, some employees are not happy about it.

Google introduces new AI tool “Ask” to moderate monthly all-hands meetings

Last Wednesday, Business Insider reported that Google recently introduced a new AI tool “Ask” to moderate monthly all-hands meetings internally called “Thank God It’s Friday” (aka TGIF). For the uninitiated, the new “Ask” AI tool acts as a middleman between Google’s senior executives and employees. It summarizes and rephrases the inquiry submitted by the employees before the leadership team looks into it.

Previously, Google employees used a tool called Dory to submit and upvote questions directed to upper management including the company’s CEO, Sundar Pichai. However, the introduction of the new AI tool has changed the earlier approach within the company’s work culture.

Google’s spokesperson suggests that the new approach has doubled the interaction and engagement of employees in the TGIF meetings. Per the report, only 1% of employees earlier used to ask questions at the meetings. Although Google says that the new AI system is beneficial, not many employees are happy about it.

Employees are reportedly unhappy with the new AI tool

Some employees said that they rarely attend and ask questions in the meetings since it is all pointless now. Anonymous sources within Google hint that the new AI tool softens the tone of questions making them less concerning which has made executives address some sensitive questions quite easily. Additionally, it also has affected the idea of meaningful conversations between employees and the leadership team.

A Google employee anonymously told Business Insider “They’re just trying to dodge damaging context and questions from being seen by a larger audience.” While another employee reportedly added, “Execs have been dodging questions or giving very vague answers at TGIF for years now.”

No doubt, most industry leaders see AI as a technology that can reshape the corporate future. However, it can’t replicate the authentic interaction between leadership and the staff, at least for now.