AI Skills Now A Core Job Requirement At Microsoft And Google

Artificial intelligence is no longer just an optional skill at the world’s biggest tech companies—it’s becoming a core job requirement. Both Microsoft and Google have made clear that employees will now be evaluated on their use of AI tools, with proficiency set to play a role in performance reviews and career growth.

At Microsoft, Julia Liuson, president of the developer division that oversees GitHub Copilot, reportedly told managers in June that “using AI is no longer optional—it’s core to every role and every level.” Her memo instructed leaders to consider AI adoption as seriously as other workplace essentials like teamwork and data-driven decision-making. The company is also weighing the addition of formal AI usage metrics in future performance reviews.

Google CEO Sundar Pichai struck a similar note during an all-hands meeting in July, urging employees to “be more AI-savvy” to ensure the company stays competitive. Google has since rolled out internal training programs under the banner “AI Savvy Google”, offering courses and toolkits while requiring engineers to integrate AI-powered coding tools into their work. Today, more than 30% of Google’s code is generated with AI assistance, up from 25% a year earlier.

The directives aren’t limited to software teams. At both companies, sales, legal, and other departments are also being encouraged—or in some cases required—to weave AI into daily tasks. Former GitHub CEO Thomas Dohmke compared the new expectations to other basic workplace standards, saying that refusing to use AI tools would be like refusing to use GitHub itself. The message across Silicon Valley is clear: mastering AI is no longer optional. For employees, it could be the difference between advancing in their careers—or being left behind.