Stories

Tue, 08 Sep 2026

Tue, 08 Sep 2026 Should promotion depend on how workers use AI?

More companies are tying career progression to AI use: is that fair?
Some key points from the article include:
* Employees feel pressure to use AI tools to demonstrate productivity and competence.
* Companies are using AI usage as a key performance indicator (KPI), which can lead to "performative" behavior, where employees focus on logging interactions with chatbots rather than making better decisions.
* Researcher Kamila Miller warns that relying solely on AI usage metrics can make people more obedient rather than skilled.
* Some companies, such as Duolingo and Amazon, have acknowledged these concerns and are reevaluating their approach to using AI in the workplace. The article also highlights individual perspectives on this issue:
* Duncan Trevithick, a 40-year-old IT consultant, is taking steps to future-proof himself by developing side projects that leverage AI.
* Pamela, a mid-50s employee, feels pressure to demonstrate her proficiency with AI tools, even if it means risking losing pension and health benefits. The article raises important questions about the impact of AI on the workplace and the potential consequences for employees. It highlights the need for companies to rethink their approach to using AI in performance reviews and evaluation metrics.