Google’s AI tool for town halls sparks employee concerns
CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES — Google has introduced an AI tool to summarize and combine employee questions during its monthly TGIF (Thank God It’s Friday) all-hands meetings.
This move has sparked mixed reactions among staff, with some expressing concerns about potential censorship of tough questions.
New AI tool replaces traditional question system
The AI tool, dubbed “Ask,” was rolled out in April. It replaced the previous system known as Dory, where employees could submit and upvote questions. With Ask, similar questions are grouped and summarized by the AI.
Although individuals can view the original questions summarized by the AI, only the summaries are open for voting, which has led to dissatisfaction among some staff.
“They’re just trying to dodge damaging context and questions from being seen by a larger audience and avoid engaging with any specifics asked in one particular question,” one employee told Business Insider.
Another employee noted that TGIF meetings have become “much less interesting” since the tool’s introduction, as the AI tends to soften tough questions and remove pointed elements.
“Googlers don’t love it because they feel it removes the raw or direct element of the question. The AI words the questions very politely, whereas Googlers were never shy about being snarky or direct.”
Google defends new AI tool
A Google spokesperson defended the new tool, stating it was implemented in response to employee feedback. The company claims the tool allows leaders to address more questions across a wider variety of topics during all-hands meetings. The spokesperson also emphasized that leadership is still being asked challenging questions.
Since the introduction of Ask, Google reports that twice as many employees have participated in asking and voting on questions. However, in 2023, less than 1% of Googlers asked a question using the company’s Q&A tool for TGIF.
While some employees view the AI tool as another way for executives to avoid difficult questions, others believe it may not significantly impact the quality of responses.
As one employee put it, “If we’re being honest, the way the questions are worded doesn’t matter. Execs have been dodging questions or giving very vague answers at TGIF for years now.”
As Google continues to integrate AI into its workplace tools, the company states it will consider employee feedback and iterate on the Ask tool to improve its functionality and address concerns.
