Latest news with #JuliaLiuson
Time of India
4 hours 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'
Independent Singapore
4 hours ago
- Business
- Independent Singapore
‘Using AI is no longer optional': Microsoft now includes AI use to evaluate employee performance
Microsoft is now including the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools as part of evaluating employee performance. The company has reportedly told managers to take into account how employees are using internal AI tools when assessing their work. Business Insider reported, citing two sources familiar with the matter, that some teams may add formal AI usage metrics to upcoming performance reviews. 'AI is now a fundamental part of how we work,' the company's Developer Division president Julia Liuson told employees in an internal email, adding: 'Just like collaboration, data-driven thinking, and effective communication, using AI is no longer optional — it's core to every role and every level.' According to India Today, while the company has been heavily promoting Copilot, adoption within its own workforce has remained lower than expected. Now, Microsoft expects employees, especially those working on AI products, to use its internal tools while still permitting external AI tools like Replit. In May, Bloomberg reported that amid its push for AI spending, the company is cutting about 6,000 jobs worldwide, or less than 3% of its workforce. In addition, India Today, citing a Bloomberg report, said thousands of employees in the Xbox division could be laid off as early as next week, marking the fourth round of cuts in the unit since 2023. Internal sources said the upcoming layoffs are 'considerable', given the ongoing financial scrutiny of the gaming business. /TISG Read also: Microsoft to launch 3 new data centres in Malaysia by mid-year as part of US$2.2B investment Featured image by Depositphotos (for illustration purposes only)
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Microsoft Developer head to employees: Using … is no longer optional, as company considers another change to its performance review process
Microsoft is now asking managers to evaluate employees based on their use of internal AI tools, with the company considering adding formal metrics to its performance review process as it pushes for greater adoption of artificial intelligence across the organization. Julia Liuson , president of Microsoft's Developer Division responsible for tools like GitHub Copilot , recently instructed managers that AI usage "should be part of your holistic reflections on an individual's performance and impact." In an internal email, Liuson declared that "using AI is no longer optional — it's core to every role and every level." The evaluation changes are designed to address what Microsoft sees as lagging internal adoption of its Copilot AI services. Some teams are now considering including more formal AI usage metrics in performance reviews for the next fiscal year, according to sources familiar with the plans. Microsoft faces growing competition in AI coding market The push comes as Microsoft's GitHub Copilot faces increasing competition from rival AI coding services, including Cursor, which recent data suggests has surpassed GitHub Copilot in key developer market segments. The competitive pressure has even become a point of tension in Microsoft's ongoing partnership negotiations with OpenAI. Microsoft currently allows employees to use certain external AI tools that meet security requirements, including coding assistant Replit, while encouraging greater use of its internal AI services. Company tightens performance standards amid AI investment The AI evaluation initiative coincides with Microsoft's broader shift toward stricter performance management. The company recently implemented new policies including a two-year rehire ban for underperforming employees and introduced a "Global Voluntary Separation Agreement" offering 16 weeks of severance to low performers who voluntarily leave. Earlier this year, Microsoft terminated approximately 2,000 employees deemed underperformers and plans thousands more job cuts primarily targeting its sales division. These workforce changes reflect the company's efforts to balance massive AI investments, including roughly $80 billion in data center spending, with operational efficiency as it positions itself for what CEO Satya Nadella calls "the AI era.' AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
India Today
5 hours ago
- Business
- India Today
Microsoft tells employees using AI is no longer optional, may impact performance reviews as more layoffs likely in July
Microsoft wants its employees to use its artificial intelligence tool. Not just use it—the company is reportedly planning to make AI tools one of the factors to evaluate performance of the employees. According to Business Insider, Microsoft is concerned about the low adoption rates of its own AI services and has therefore instructed managers to evaluate employees based on their use of internal AI an internal email to employees, Julia Liuson, president of the Developer Division, has reportedly outlined that the company is making it mandatory for employees. '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.'Managers have also reportedly been asked to factor AI usage into their overall assessment of an employee's performance. Citing two sources familiar with the matter, the report reveals that some teams are considering introducing formal metrics tied to AI use in upcoming performance reviews. This shift is said to align with a broader strategy to improve internal usage of the company's own AI tools. Despite heavy promotion, Copilot's adoption inside the company hasn't met expectations, especially with rising competition from AI coding assistants like Cursor. Now, Microsoft wants employees—especially those building AI products—to use and understand these tools, while still allowing some secure external AI tools like layoffs in July 2025 advertisementMeanwhile, the internal push for AI tools comes at a time when the company has carried out multiple rounds of job cuts. Most of these layoffs have affected thousands of roles within its Xbox division and broader gaming operation. However, another round of layoffs is likely to come in July 2025. According to a Bloomberg report, thousands of jobs in the Xbox division are expected to be cut as soon as next week, as part of a broader company-wide restructuring. This would be the fourth round of job cuts affecting the Xbox unit since sources reportedly describe the upcoming job cuts as 'considerable,' particularly within the gaming business, which has been under financial expected layoffs follow the closure of multiple game studios and come amid rising pressure to improve profitability within Microsoft's gaming operations. The company completed its $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard in 2023 and has since been focused on streamlining its gaming June alone, Microsoft laid off more than 300 employees, adding to the 6,000-plus positions eliminated in previous months. Overall, with earlier reductions, Microsoft has laid off over 6,300 employees in recent weeks.- Ends
Hans India
6 hours 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.
