What's on Your Mind? Bosses Are Using Artificial Intelligence to Find Out

This year, for the first time, the Manhattan, Kan.-based company tapped an artificial-intelligence tool called Xander to analyze responses. Xander can determine whether an employee feels optimistic, confused or angry, and provide insights to help manage teams, the tool's developers at Ultimate Software Group Inc. ULTI -1.88% said. From a block of text, the software analyzes answers to open-ended questions based on language and other data, assigning attitudes or opinions to employees. One top executive at SPS learned from recent survey analysis that he needed to work on his temper. "One of my lowest scoring items was maintaining my composure under stress," he said of the feedback from his direct reports.