- AI usage now included in employee performance reviews
- Both companies have launched internal AI training programmes
- Other tech firms, including Amazon and Shopify, follow the same approach
AI adoption tied to career progression
Top executives at Google and Microsoft have made it clear that artificial intelligence is now a core workplace skill. Both companies are evaluating employees based on how effectively they use AI tools, and managers have been told to factor AI proficiency into performance reviews.
Microsoft’s Julia Liuson, president of developer tools, told managers that AI usage is “no longer optional.” Google’s CEO Sundar Pichai gave a similar directive, urging staff to become “AI-savvy” to match competitors’ productivity.
Formal policies across departments
The policies extend well beyond software engineering roles. Google has mandated the use of internal AI tools for coding and has updated job descriptions to include AI problem-solving skills. More than 30 percent of Google’s code is now AI-generated, up from 25 percent last year.
At Microsoft, leaders are considering adding formal AI usage metrics to employee evaluations for the next fiscal year. GitHub’s former CEO Thomas Dohmke compared mandatory AI use to adopting fundamental workplace tools, saying those unwilling to adapt may need to seek roles elsewhere.
Structured training and monitoring
To ensure progress, both companies have introduced structured training and adoption tracking. Google launched the “AI Savvy Google” programme, offering courses and toolkits, while Microsoft has instructed managers to monitor AI use as part of employee impact assessments.
The mandate applies not only to developers but also to teams in sales, legal, and other functions. Employees have expressed concern about the scale of the change, but many acknowledge that AI proficiency is becoming essential for career advancement.
Silicon Valley sets a wider trend
The pressure to adopt AI is spreading beyond Google and Microsoft. Amazon CEO Andy Jassy has told employees to learn AI tools to improve efficiency, while Shopify requires teams to show evidence of AI usage before requesting additional resources.
For businesses worldwide, the message from Silicon Valley is consistent: AI adoption is moving from optional to mandatory. As AI tools become central to daily workflows, employees and organisations alike must adapt to stay competitive.
