Amazon, the largest e-commerce company, has been tracking how employees use artificial intelligence (AI) tools and reflecting that in personnel evaluations.
On the 19th (local time), U.S. IT outlet The Information reported that Amazon is using an internal system called "Clarity" to track how frequently employees use AI tools. Currently, other big tech corporations such as Microsoft (MS), Meta, and Accenture are also actively encouraging employees to use AI or reflecting related metrics and data in personnel evaluations.
According to the report, Amazon uses this system to see which AI tools employees use and how much they use "Q," its in-house AI model, and applies that to personnel evaluations, including promotions.
For example, for employees on the supply chain optimization technology team, how they used AI to achieve innovation or improve operational efficiency was included in their evaluations. For managers, the evaluations reflected how they delivered more with fewer resources and examples of enhancing capabilities and innovating by using AI without reducing or increasing headcount.
An Amazon Spokesperson, speaking about the company's push to promote AI, said, "Understanding how employees adopt new technologies helps them achieve innovation in their work and helps deliver that value to customers," and added, "During evaluation periods as well as throughout the year, we share AI adoption and best practices to encourage companywide innovation and improvements in operational efficiency."
However, after Amazon laid off 30,000 employees over two rounds in Oct. last year and Jan. this year, employees are said to be reacting sensitively. There is also dissatisfaction about using Q instead of external AI models.