Synopsis
As AI tools become core to daily workflows, Microsoft has started tying employee evaluations to how effectively they use artificial intelligence. With internal emails urging managers to factor AI usage into reviews, the tech giant aims to boost internal adoption amid rising competition. The move reflects a broader shift: embracing AI is becoming a career necessity, not a choice.
AI is now a performance metric at Microsoft. A leaked internal memo reveals employees are being evaluated on how well they use AI tools, signaling a new era where non-compliance could impact careers. (Images: iStock)
In what appears to be a corporate line in the sand, Microsoft is moving beyond AI evangelism and into enforcement. According to an internal email reported by Business Insider, the tech giant has begun directing managers to factor employees’ AI usage into their performance evaluations—a decision that marks a striking cultural shift from adoption to obligation.
Julia Liuson, president of Microsoft’s Developer Division, which oversees tools like GitHub Copilot, informed team leaders that artificial intelligence is no longer a choice. “AI is now a fundamental part of how we work,” she wrote in a recent internal memo. “Just like collaboration, data-driven thinking, and effective communication, using AI is no longer optional — it’s core to every role and every level.” The message? Embrace AI or risk falling behind.
When Performance Reviews Go Robotic
In some Microsoft teams, performance reviews for the next fiscal year may include formal metrics that assess how well employees are integrating AI into their workflow. This move is reportedly motivated by what Microsoft sees as lagging internal adoption of its own Copilot tools—even among employees tasked with building them.
