Managers are under pressure. With increasing demands on their time, energy, EQ, and judgment, it’s no surprise that many are turning to AI tools like ChatGPT to help with time-consuming tasks, including performance reviews.

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But is it okay to use AI to write reviews? Is it cheating? Will it feel impersonal? Let’s break it down: the pros, the pitfalls, and how to use AI tools well - without compromising the integrity of your feedback or the trust of your team.

✅ The Pros of Using AI for Performance Reviews

1. It saves serious time

Writing thoughtful, individualized reviews takes time - often 5 to 15+ hours, depending on your team size. AI can help generate a solid first draft in minutes. That frees you up to spend time where it counts: reflecting on your team’s impact and having meaningful conversations.

2. It brings consistency and structure

One of the biggest complaints about performance reviews? Inconsistency. Some managers write novels. Others scribble bullets. AI helps standardize tone, structure, and even language across reviews - making it easier to compare and fairer for everyone involved.

3. It reduces unconscious bias

Unconscious bias creeps in, even when we don’t mean it to. AI-generated language, when well-designed, can help eliminate subtle differences in how we describe similar behaviors - particularly across lines of gender, race, age, or parental status. Everyone deserves a fair, bias-free review.

4. It can improve the quality of your feedback

AI tools can remind you of performance metrics or competencies you may have overlooked. They can help you spot trends you’ve missed and suggest phrasing that brings clarity to your feedback. If you’re stuck, AI is a great sounding board to get you unstuck.

5. It’s just the next evolution in management tools

Just like spreadsheets changed how we plan finances and project management software changed how we track tasks, AI is changing how we write. What feels novel now will soon be standard - and those who use it wisely will have the edge.

⚠️ The Cons (and how to avoid them)

Of course, AI isn’t magic. And it can backfire if you use it the wrong way. Here are the risks and how to manage them:

1. It can sound robotic or generic

Let’s face it: some AI drafts read like they were written by a polite but clueless robot.

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🔆 Try this: Use AI as a starting point, then personalize. Add specifics, voice, and examples only you can provide.

Use the prompt, "Please point out where I need to add specific examples to help the feedback or praise land well and my own experiences to make this review more personal."

2. It misses nuance

AI doesn’t know that your team member stayed late to help a colleague or navigated a tough client call with grace.

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🔆 Try this: Layer in the context and color that makes your feedback real and meaningful.

Use the prompt, "Imagine you are my direct report reading this for the first time. What overall message do you receieve?"

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3. It can be a crutch

It’s tempting to just hit “generate” and move on. But you know your team deserves more.

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🔆 Try this: Use AI to save time — not to skip thinking. Edit, reflect, and own the message you’re delivering.

Use the prompt, "Based on this review, which milestones or goals can we set to make sure my team members progresses? Let's talk through a go-forward plan and how I can support their growth."

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4. Employees may question authenticity

If your review sounds copy-pasted, trust takes a hit.

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🔆 Try this: Be transparent. Let your team know you used a tool to draft the review and that this enabled you to spend more time on the go-forward plan.

Use the prompt, "Please review these previous reviews I've written [pasted/uploaded]. Update this draft with my tone of voice."

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5. Not all tools are created equal

Generic tools like ChatGPT are powerful, but they aren’t built for performance reviews.

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🔆 Try this: Look for a purpose-built tool that aligns with review best practices - like Opre - including the right language, structure, and goal-setting support.

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🛠 Best Practices: Using AI Well

If you’re going to use AI to support your reviews, keep these best practices in mind:

• Start with your own reflections. What do you want to say? What do you want them to hear?
• Use AI to overcome blank-page syndrome. Let it generate structure and phrasing.
• Edit with care. Add examples, stories, and your own tone.
• Be transparent. Using AI isn’t cheating, but failing to make it personal is a missed opportunity.
• Invest in your feedback skills. AI won’t help if the review is the first time they’re hearing it. Create a practice of consistent, quality feedback.

The Bottom Line

Using AI to draft performance reviews isn’t cheating. It’s smart when it's done right. Even smarter? Giving consistent, quality feedback so there's less pressure on reviews and more improvement year-round.

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Want to become a feedback pro? Sign up for Winning with Feedback or get in touch to talk about training your team.