The use of artificial intelligence (AI) technology to monitor employees has been much debated by companies, shareholders, and lawmakers. To learn more, Xueming Luo and Siliang Tong (PhD ’20) delves into the impacts of AI on worker performance. 

His research found that AI provides higher quality feedback, which results in higher worker productivity. However, this boost is counteracted by it’s impact on managerial relationships with employees. Workers who do not trust their managers and feel expendable may not work as well.

Luo recommends several strategies to maximize the potential of AI. Companies can assuage concerns by communicating about objectives, benefits, and scope of AI. They can also employ a “tiered” strategy, where veteran employees receive AI feedback and novice employees receive human feedback.