As we all know, generative AI is slowly making its way into almost every aspect of our lives. While some of them are definitely helpful and save time, other AI implementations can actually be irritating. One such case seems to be its use as a part of Google's corporate culture. The Mountain View-based tech giant has reportedly introduced a new AI tool to moderate the company's monthly all-hands meetings, and it's annoying some employees. The new tool is reportedly called “Ask,” and it's designed to moderate Google's monthly meetings, known internally as “Thank God It's Friday” (aka TGIF). The “Ask” tool acts as a go-between between Google's senior executives and employees. It's designed to summarize and rephrase employee requests for management to consider.
Before Ask, Google employees used a tool called Dory to send and upvote questions to senior management, which could reach as far as the company's CEO, Sundar Pichai. With the new AI tool, that has now changed.
A Google spokesperson said the new approach has doubled employee interaction and engagement during these meetings. According to one report, previously only 1% of employees asked questions during these meetings. However, while the new tool appears to be benefiting the company, some employees are reluctant to use it.
Some employees reportedly said they rarely attend meetings or ask questions because it now seemed pointless to them. Anonymous sources claimed that the AI tool softens the tone of questions and makes them less worrisome, making it easier for leaders to answer some sensitive questions. Employees also reportedly claim that this AI tool interferes with the idea of meaningful conversations between employees and leadership.
Overall, some employees seem to believe that the new tool helps management “bypass” the context of the questions.
I think having AI summarise things can be beneficial as I imagine these meetings are huge considering how big Google actually is as a company. However, I think AI should aim to maintain the tone and context of the questions to make the communication more truthful and authentic.