Over the past few months, I’ve had the significant misfortune of participating through Zoom and Teams in virtual meetings where so-called “A.I.” bots were in attendance. These bots claim to be “taking notes,” “transcribing,” and offering “insights” on how the meeting went.

Hopefully you’re catching all the air quotes I’d be making if I were saying this out loud.

The bot that finally pushed me to write this article is built by a Seattle-based company called Read.ai. Their homepage proudly announces, “Read AI is building the future of work, where every interaction is improved with AI.”

Every interaction improved with A.I.? You’ve got to be kidding me.

In a recent meeting where all participants were engaged, productive, cheerful, and actually moving the needle forward, Read.ai took it upon itself not just to take notes, but to judge the conversation. It tried to read the room, missed all the nuance, and then after the fact through it’s web UI offered “coaching” for the participants on supposed failures to show charisma, positivity, or inclusive language.

I personally was given three derogatory marks by the bot for using “noninclusive language” because I said “you guys” – in a room full of straight, heterosexual men. No one was offended. No one blinked. But the bot decided to be the judgy H.R. knucklehead and weigh in on my speech without being asked after the fact.

This isn’t innovation. It’s automated cultural scolding. Read.ai is not advancing the future of work. It is institutionalizing a chilling, corporate version of speech policing under the guise of productivity tools.

What’s next? AI HR agents docking your pay for not being enthusiastic enough? Getting written up by a robot for saying “y’all”? Five years ago, that might have sounded crazy. Now it sounds like next quarter’s software release.

I have friends in the LGBTQ community whom I respect deeply. This isn’t about dismissing anyone’s identity or experience. But there is a line between basic decency and compelled speech, and what we’re seeing with tools like Read.ai crosses that line. When software starts monitoring and correcting natural, harmless language, we have crossed the Rubicon. I can’t stay quiet about it. This isn’t inclusion. It is indoctrination disguised as helpful feedback.

Technology is supposed to serve mankind. Yes, Read.ai, I said mankind. Take a deep breath. This isn’t service. Rather, it’s the quiet replacement of free speech and honest conversation with algorithmic gatekeeping from a far-left perspective.

I’ve said it once, I’ll say it again. Bots be damned. You Guys need to wake up and throw this nonsense out of our meetings while we still have the chance.

Say no. Demand it from your vendors, your consultants, your coworkers, your clients.

Because your privacy, your speech, and your culture are not negotiable.