When AI Reviews Your Annual Performance… and Throws a 404

AI is rapidly entering HR — from screening résumés to automating feedback cycles. So naturally, the idea of an AI performance review has become a hot topic in the future-of-work conversation. And that’s exactly where the spark for this cartoon came from.

One day I wondered:“If AI evaluated our performance, what would it actually find?”

The answer made me laugh. Because in many workplaces, so much work goes untracked that even the most powerful AI might struggle to detect it.

And that led to the cartoon:

When AI reviews your annual performance… it throws a 404.

A simple, brutal punchline for a system that can’t find any performance at all.

⭐ Pros of AI in Performance Management

AI does bring meaningful advantages to performance management:

1. Reduces bias

It can minimise recency bias, favoritism, and mood-based scoring.

2. Brings consistency

AI evaluates everyone using the same structure — something humans rarely manage.

3. Surfaces hidden patterns

It can analyse workflow velocity, communication patterns, ticket closures, code activity, and more.

4. Saves managers time

AI can summarise quarterly work, highlight wins, and prepare draft review notes.

These benefits explain why companies are experimenting with AI performance review systems.

⚠️ But Why AI Still Throws a 404

Here’s where the humour meets reality.

1. Most real work is invisible

AI can’t evaluate what isn’t tracked — mentoring, conflict resolution, teamwork, crisis handling, morale building.

2. AI amplifies flawed data

If the underlying metrics are incomplete or skewed, AI only reinforces them.

3. No understanding of context

AI cannot comprehend that firefighting, reprioritisation, or cross-team support still count as valuable contributions.

4. Absence of data = absence of performance

And that’s why the cartoon lands: 404 — performance not found.

The punchline works because it’s true in many organisations.

⭐ The Future Role of AI in Performance Review

In my opinion, AI should assist. Humans should judge.

AI should focus on:

• analysing data

• identifying patterns

• reducing mechanical bias

• giving managers insights

• pointing out blind spots

  
  

But final evaluations must remain with humans who understand:

• nuance

• effort

• emotional labour

• intent

• teamwork

• unpredictable realities

  
  

AI should inform performance ratings — not replace them.

The cartoon’s 404 is a reminder that if we hand over judgement too early, we risk misreading human work entirely.

👉 Explore More Performance Review Cartoons

If you enjoyed this one, explore my full collection of Performance Review Cartoons, capturing:

• awkward appraisal conversations

• corporate diplomacy

• rating grid absurdities

• manager–employee tension

• annual review humour