Microsoft has implemented a company-wide mandate requiring all employees to use artificial intelligence tools, with AI adoption now directly tied to performance reviews and career advancement. The policy, communicated through internal memos in July 2025, marks a significant shift from voluntary AI adoption to mandatory integration across all roles and departments.
Julia Liuson, President of Microsoft's Developer Division, outlined the new approach in an internal communication, stating that AI usage has become "core to every role and every level" alongside traditional skills like collaboration and data-driven thinking. The directive specifically requires managers to evaluate employees on their use of internal AI tools, with some teams developing formal metrics to assess AI integration in upcoming performance cycles.
The mandate covers Microsoft's suite of AI tools, including GitHub Copilot for developers and Microsoft Copilot for productivity tasks. Employees must demonstrate active integration of these technologies into their daily workflows, with inadequate adoption potentially affecting performance ratings and career progression opportunities.
Industry observers note this represents one of the most aggressive internal AI adoption policies implemented by a major technology company. The move addresses Microsoft's challenge with low internal adoption rates of its own AI services, despite the company's significant public investments in artificial intelligence infrastructure and partnerships.
The policy implementation coincides with substantial organizational changes at Microsoft, which has reduced its workforce by over 15,000 employees in 2025. Reports suggest these layoffs are partly designed to reallocate resources toward AI infrastructure investments, indicating the company's commitment to AI-first transformation.
For developers, the mandate highlights the growing expectation that AI proficiency will become a standard requirement in technology roles. The policy may influence hiring practices and skill development priorities across the industry, as other companies observe Microsoft's approach to mandatory AI integration.
The long-term implications remain unclear, particularly regarding how AI usage metrics will be measured and whether similar policies will emerge at competing technology firms. Microsoft's approach could establish a precedent for corporate AI adoption strategies in the technology sector.