Does using AI lower your evaluation? I read an article like that and gave it some thought

Recently, I read a note article and
couldn't help but stop and think.

It was an article stating, "The AI label is powerful. If you write 'I used AI' for work, your evaluation goes down."

The content is very simple, but
one point really struck me.

A single line written at the end of a report.

With that one line, not just the deliverable, but the person's evaluation itself can be shaken.

In other words,
the fact that "AI was used"
can lead to judgments about
one's abilities and work ethic as well.

Reading this, I started to wonder.

What if
my boss was someone who was negative about AI?

■ Even if you do the same thing, the evaluation changes

Currently, I am involved in promoting AI within my company.

I'm not just using it, but
thinking about "how it can be used in the field,"
creating prompt collections so that
even AI beginners can use it immediately,
and sending out information via newsletters.

In fact, in the newsletter surveys,

"AI feels more accessible now"
"Replying to emails has become a little easier"

I've started receiving comments like these.

Also, for employees struggling with how to use AI,
they sometimes come to me for advice,
saying, "Could you take a look at this?"

It is through the accumulation of each of those things that
I also received a high evaluation in my summary interview.

■ But that is not a given

This evaluation
might have been because I was under a boss
who is positive about AI.

If

my boss were negative about AI—

even if I were doing the same thing,

• cutting corners

• not thinking for myself

I might have been seen in that way.

■ What is being evaluated is the 'person,' not the 'AI'

What I felt here is that

what is being evaluated
is not the AI itself.

It is not about 'whether or not I used AI,'

what is being evaluated
might be that person's values
regarding how they view AI.

Even with the same deliverables,
and even with the same process,

if the person looking changes, the evaluation changes.

It is a bit strange,
but I thought it was a very realistic story.

■ So, what should we do?

So, should we not write about
using AI?

Honestly, I feel like the
answer is still wavering.

But one thing I think is,

rather than "whether you used it," it's "how you used it."

You need to have a clear stance on this for yourself.

Did you leave it entirely to AI?
Or did you use it as a partner to help you think?

You should be the one who knows that best.

■ A small realization

It's not about whether you use AI, but
what kind of person you are when using AI.

And one more thing.

What kind of people are you working with
who view it that way?

Perhaps we are still in a period where
evaluations fluctuate based on both of those things.

🌱 Today's step

When using AI,
just add a word about "where you thought for yourself."

Even if it's just a little bit,
if you add your own words,
the way it's perceived might change.

※ The article that sparked this is here ▼
"AI labels are powerful. If you write 'I used AI' at work, your evaluation drops." (Shuniku to Memo-san)

※ This note is a series that chronicles how to get along with AI through 4-panel comics and essays.

*This article is participating in the Harumaga Campaign's Catchphrase King Championship 2026.

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