# What are AI evaluations (Evals), and why are they critical?

_Last updated: 2026-07-20_  
_Reviewed by: Jason Burns, Editorial Steward_  
_Published by: AIDirectAnswers.com · Licensed under Citation License 1.0_

## Short answer

AI evaluations, or evals, are systematic tests that measure a model's performance on specific tasks using curated inputs and scoring rubrics; they are critical because subjective 'feels good' testing does not catch regressions, biases, or unsafe behavior.

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_Author: [Jason Burns](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-randolph-burns), Editorial Steward_  
_Published: 2026-07-20 · Modified: 2026-07-20_  
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