As Microsoft lays off 15,000 employees, company's AI head has a message for remaining workers

India Today

7 days ago

In the past few months, Microsoft has already laid off over 15,000 employees. And for the remaining workers, the company has a message: it wants its workers to embrace artificial intelligence – not just as a tool, but as a core part of their job performance. Julia Liuson, president of Microsoft's Developer Division, recently told employees that AI usage will now be treated as essential. 'AI is now a fundamental part of how we work,' she wrote. 'Just like collaboration, data-driven thinking, and effective communication, using AI is no longer optional – it's core to every role and every level.'advertisementThe company is reportedly pushing managers to include AI usage as a factor in employee evaluations. In some teams, this may even involve formal metrics tied to how frequently and effectively an employee uses Microsoft's internal AI tools, such as Copilot.This move appears to be part of a larger strategy to boost adoption of Microsoft's own AI offerings, particularly Copilot. Despite widespread promotion, internal usage of the tool has fallen short of expectations. This is especially concerning given the increasing popularity of rival AI assistants like Cursor. Microsoft now wants employees – especially those building AI products – to not only use its tools but to become more comfortable and skilled with them. The company is said to allow limited use of some external AI tools like Replit, but is primarily focused on getting its own systems into regular workflows.
While Microsoft is urging its current employees to adapt, advice given to those it recently laid off has raised eyebrows. Matt Turnbull, an executive producer at Xbox Game Studios, suggested in a now-deleted LinkedIn post that laid-off workers could turn to AI chatbots like ChatGPT or Copilot for emotional support and job search assistance.'These are really challenging times, and if you're navigating a layoff or even quietly preparing for one, you're not alone and you don't have to do it alone,' Turnbull wrote. He recommended using large language models (LLMs) to ease the mental load that comes with job hunting — from writing resumes and LinkedIn bios to reframing negative self-talk. While he acknowledged that many people have mixed feelings about AI — especially when it's seen as contributing to job losses — he said it could still be a helpful resource. 'No AI tool is a replacement for your voice or your lived experience,' he added.The post sparked criticism and was eventually taken down. Many questioned the timing and tone of encouraging workers to use the very tools believed to be accelerating job cuts.Microsoft, for its part, has defended the layoffs as part of broader restructuring efforts. In a company memo, executives said the changes were necessary to adapt to a rapidly changing market. Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer explained that the cuts were aimed at streamlining teams and focusing on long-term strategic goals.- Ends