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Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
AI might take your job, but ignoring it could too: Microsoft links performance reviews to AI usage
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. A source familiar with the matter told Business Insider that the aim is to not only drive broader usage across the company but also ensure that those developing AI tools like GitHub Copilot genuinely understand how they're being used in practice. In a fiercely competitive landscape, where rivals like Cursor are gaining ground, Microsoft is doubling down on internal accountability. Interestingly, while Microsoft strongly promotes the use of its proprietary AI tools, it still permits employees to experiment with some external AI assistants—provided they meet company security protocols. Replit, a competing coding tool, is one such example. You Might Also Like: Nikhil Kamath's 'lifelong learning' advice is only step one: Stanford expert shares the key skills needed to survive the AI takeover Trusting the Tool That Sometimes Lies Microsoft's AI push comes amid broader questions about how much we should rely on artificial intelligence in the first place. In a recent podcast interview, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman made a candid admission: 'People have a very high degree of trust in ChatGPT, which is interesting because AI hallucinates. It should be the tech that you don't trust that much.' Altman's point wasn't lost on industry watchers. While AI tools can streamline coding, boost productivity, and assist in communication, they are far from infallible. Hallucinations—where the AI confidently generates false or misleading information—remain a well-documented flaw. And yet, the corporate world is being nudged toward full-blown dependency. So where does that leave employees who may be wary of the risks? It appears caution is no longer an acceptable excuse. In the Microsoft ecosystem, the road to good performance now runs directly through responsible AI usage. From Optional to Inevitable If there's one thing this shift confirms, it's that AI in the workplace is no longer a novelty. What once sparked curiosity and experimentation has now become a professional requirement. Even tech visionaries like Peter Thiel have framed AI not as an ideal future but as a necessary one. In a recent appearance on the New York Times podcast Interesting Times, Thiel noted, 'AI might be enough to create some great companies, but I'm not sure it's enough to end the stagnation.' You Might Also Like: Does ChatGPT suffer from hallucinations? OpenAI CEO Sam Altman admits surprise over users' blind trust in AI Despite his reservations, Thiel conceded that AI is the only visible force trying to disrupt an otherwise innovation-starved landscape. The question now is whether this disruption will bring about genuine transformation—or merely a new kind of compliance culture. AI, or Else? Whether seen as a lifeboat from stagnation or a leash of digital conformity, Microsoft's policy signals a new age of workplace expectations. AI isn't just a tool anymore. It's a metric, a performance benchmark, and potentially, a career gatekeeper. In this AI-centric era, one thing is certain: If artificial intelligence doesn't replace your job, your failure to embrace it just might. You Might Also Like: PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel warns of tech stagnation: 'Without AI, there's just nothing going on'
Hans India
2 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
Microsoft Mandates AI Tool Use, Links It to Employee Reviews Amid Fresh Layoff Concerns
Microsoft is taking a firm stance on AI integration within its workforce, now requiring employees to actively use the company's internal AI tools as part of their daily responsibilities. This move comes as the tech giant aims to boost adoption of its AI services and aligns with broader operational shifts—including more layoffs expected in July. According to a report from Business Insider, Microsoft managers have been instructed to factor AI tool usage into performance evaluations. In an internal memo, Julia Liuson, President of the Developer Division, emphasized the non-negotiable nature of AI in the modern workplace. 'AI is now a fundamental part of how we work,' Liuson 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.' Sources familiar with the matter reveal that certain teams are even considering formal metrics to track how employees use AI, especially with concerns around low internal adoption of Microsoft's own AI offerings like Copilot. Despite substantial internal promotion, tools like Copilot reportedly haven't gained the expected traction, partly due to competition from external platforms such as Cursor. Now, Microsoft is emphasizing hands-on engagement with its AI tools—especially for employees directly involved in developing AI products. While a few secure third-party tools like Replit remain permitted, the focus is clearly shifting to in-house solutions. This policy shift arrives during a period of continued workforce reduction. After several rounds of layoffs, particularly within the Xbox division, sources suggest another significant wave of job cuts could happen as early as next week. Bloomberg reports indicate that thousands of gaming-related roles may be eliminated as part of an ongoing restructuring plan. The upcoming layoffs would mark the fourth time since 2023 that Microsoft has reduced headcount within its gaming unit. The division has faced mounting financial scrutiny following the $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard. In June alone, over 300 employees were let go, adding to the more than 6,000 roles already cut in recent months. With internal adoption of AI tools now a top priority and financial efficiency under the microscope, Microsoft is sending a clear message: adaptability and AI proficiency are no longer optional—they are essential to staying on board.
