Microsoft is asking some managers to evaluate employees based on how much they use AI internally, and the software giant is considering adding metrics related to this in the review process, Business Insider learned.
Julia Liuson, president of Microsoft Division, who is responsible for developer tools such as the AI coding service Github Copilot, recently sent an email instructing managers to assess employee performance based on the use of such internal AI tools.
“AI is now a fundamental part of how we work,” writes Liuson. “As with collaboration, data-driven thinking, and effective communication, using AI is no longer an option. It's at the heart of every role and every level.”
Liuson told the manager that AI should be “part of the overall reflection on individual performance and impact.”
Microsoft's performance requirements vary by team, and some people are considering including more formal metrics on the use of internal AI tools in their performance reviews for the upcoming fiscal year, according to people familiar with the situation. This person asked not to identify any discussion of private issues.
These changes are intended to address what Microsoft sees as delaying internal adoption of Copilot AI services, according to two other people with knowledge of the planning. The company wants to significantly increase its use, but it hopes that the employees who build these products have a better understanding of the tools.
In Liuson's organization, Github Copilot faces increased competition with AI coding services, including Cursor. Microsoft allows employees to use several external AI tools that meet certain security requirements. For example, staff are currently permitted to use coding assistant replicas. For example, according to one of the people.
A recent note from Barclays cited data suggesting that Cursor has recently outperformed GitHub Copilot in a key part of the developer market.
Barclays records notes citing lamp business spending reports
The competition between coding tools has even become a sticking point in renegotiating Microsoft's most important partnership with Openai. Openai is considering getting a cursor competitor Windsurf, but Microsoft's current deal with Openai offers access to Windsurf's intellectual property, and neither Windsurf nor Openai wants it, said someone with knowledge of the meeting.
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