Microsoft is intensifying its push for AI adoption among its workforce by making the use of its AI tools mandatory for certain employees and linking it to their performance reviews. An internal memo from Julia Liuson, Corporate Vice President of the Developer Division, emphasizes that AI is now a fundamental aspect of work at Microsoft, stating, “AI is now a fundamental part of how we work. Just like collaboration, data-driven thinking, and effective communication, using AI is no longer optional — it’s core to every role and every level.”
This move represents a significant shift in how employee performance is evaluated at Microsoft. Managers are being directed to assess employees based on their frequency and effectiveness in using Microsoft’s AI tools. The company is particularly focusing on improving the adoption rate of Microsoft Copilot, a tool that has faced challenges in gaining internal traction despite being heavily promoted.
The policy seems to be particularly targeted at Microsoft’s developers, with the leadership stressing that those who build AI products should also be daily users. This push comes as Microsoft faces increasing competition from rival AI coding tools like Cursor, and has faced backlash over privacy concerns related to features like Recall.
While Microsoft presents this move as a natural progression for a company that claims to be “all-in on AI,” critics argue that the underlying motive is to force AI adoption through performance reviews rather than convincing employees of its utility. The mandate raises important questions about the role of AI in the workplace, particularly in an industry grappling with issues related to generative AI, such as hallucinations and mistrust. Is proficiency in AI now a necessary skill, or merely a checkbox to retain one’s job?
