Teachers at UK technology training company Multiverse say a new AI monitoring system has left them feeling constantly watched and under severe stress. The system analyzes transcripts of online lessons, assigns instructors a risk status and confidence score, and alerts human managers to suspected performance problems, according to The Guardian.
What the system measures
The agent reviews several hours of teaching rather than the monthly observations previously conducted by human managers. It can flag slow responses to connection problems, frequent filler words, vague or uncertain answers, learner silence, prolonged one-to-one exchanges and apparent confusion while explaining an assignment. Its instructions tell it to assess recurring patterns across a transcript, rather than isolated words, but teachers say managers have still challenged them over alleged digressions that reflected responses to learners.
Teachers say scrutiny changes the work
Several instructors told The Guardian that the system makes them focus on avoiding an adverse score instead of listening and adapting to students. They described anxiety, lost sleep and, in some cases, seeking therapy. One anonymous account said staff could not see the system's analysis during the rollout, while managers could view dashboards showing the AI's assessment. Multiverse said employees would receive access to the collected data.
Human managers remain responsible
Multiverse says the tool is intended to direct managerial attention, not replace human judgment. The company said only human managers write performance reviews and that the most serious action the agent can take is recommending a personal review of a session. It also said the rollout was communicated in advance and presented the system as a way to improve learner and customer experience. The company did not directly address the teachers' reported stress and anxiety.
Part of a wider workplace dispute
Multiverse provides computer and AI skills training to workers in the NHS, local authorities, universities and private companies, with much of the provision funded through the government apprenticeship levy. Its use of automated oversight adds to broader concerns about employers evaluating behavior through AI, especially when professional judgment is reduced to machine-readable signals. The Communication Workers Union has argued that such systems can weaken worker confidence and intensify work rather than ease it, while calling for stronger rules on workplace AI.
AI-generated editorial illustration; not a documentary photograph.
Source: Teachers at Euan Blair firm report ‘horrendous stress’ after AI used to rate their work
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