Meta will tie employee performance to “AI‑driven impact” starting 2026, making it a core evaluation metric. Janelle Gale, head of people, announced the shift in an internal memo. Staff will be assessed on using AI to deliver results, boost productivity, and build impactful tools. Rewards for AI contributions begin in 2025, supported by AI assistants and gamified adoption.
In a move signaling a deeper shift toward an AI‑native culture, Meta Platforms Inc. will begin tying every employee’s performance evaluation to their “AI‑driven impact” starting next year. The new expectation, dubbed a “core expectation” for 2026, was announced Thursday by Janelle Gale, Meta’s head of people, in an internal memo obtained by Business Insider.
According to Gale, the company will assess staff on how effectively they leverage artificial intelligence to deliver results, build productivity‑boosting tools, and move key metrics forward. “It’s well‑known that this is a priority, and we’re focused on using AI to help employees with their day‑to‑day work,” a Meta spokesperson reiterated to Create Brands, underscoring the strategic importance of AI adoption across the firm.
What Changes for Employees?
New Evaluation Criterion: “AI‑driven impact” will become a measurable factor in performance reviews, influencing promotions, compensation, and career trajectories.
Reward System: For 2025, Meta will recognize exceptional AI‑driven contributions through rewards, though individual usage metrics won’t formally count toward annual reviews.
AI Assistance: Meta is rolling out an “AI Performance Assistant” to aid workers in drafting self‑reviews and feedback. Employees can also tap the internal AI bot Metamate or Google’s Gemini for performance‑related content.
Gamified Adoption: Earlier initiatives such as the “Level Up” game and AI‑enabled coding interviews have already been deployed to spur adoption.
Industry Context
The decision aligns Meta with a broader tech‑industry trend where firms embed AI into human‑capital management. Competitors like Microsoft, Google, and Amazon are similarly emphasizing AI‑centric productivity tools, reflecting a shift toward “AI‑first” work environments.
Meta’s internal memo highlighted that the shift aims to accelerate reskilling, boost productivity, and ensure the company remains at the forefront of AI innovation—from content‑ranking algorithms to advertising solutions.
While the rollout promises clearer incentives for AI adoption, it also raises questions about measurement fairness and employee pressure. As the company prepares detailed metrics and tools for the 2026 evaluation cycle, stakeholders will watch closely for transparency and balance between AI assistance and human judgment.
