In a move that underscores the growing dominance of artificial intelligence in the workplace, Accenture has reportedly informed senior employees that their career progression will now depend on how actively they use AI tools. The message is direct: embracing AI is no longer optional for those aiming for leadership roles.

According to a report by the Financial Times, associate directors and senior managers were notified via email that promotion to leadership positions will require “regular adoption” of AI tools. In practical terms, employees who fail to integrate AI into their daily workflows may find their advancement opportunities limited.

The development comes as Accenture intensifies its investment in artificial intelligence. Speaking at the India AI Impact Summit, Accenture CEO Julie Sweet emphasized the urgency of organizational transformation. She said, “Companies must be willing to reinvent how they operate their processes, how they've been doing work for the last few decades. Companies have to invest to reshape their workforces.”

The company’s sharper focus on AI follows significant workforce restructuring. Accenture previously laid off 11,000 employees, citing limited opportunities to “reskill” certain roles in line with its AI ambitions. Over the past three years, the firm has spent $2 billion on severance packages as part of its broader transformation strategy.

Accenture is not alone in pushing employees toward AI adoption. Across the technology sector, major players are making similar demands. In June 2025, Microsoft informed staff that “using AI is no longer optional.” Microsoft executive Julia Liuson asked managers to factor AI usage into performance reviews. Reports also indicate that Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella cautioned senior leaders that those who did not align with the company’s AI strategy should reconsider their future there.

At Meta, internal tracking of employee AI tool usage reportedly began in October last year. Google has also signaled its expectations. The company offered voluntary exits to certain employees who were not seen as being “all in on AI.” Earlier, Google CEO Sundar Pichai warned that employees who did not adopt AI “risked falling behind.”

The broader industry context is stark. More than one lakh IT professionals have reportedly lost their jobs over the past year across companies including Amazon, TCS, Infosys, and Accenture. Corporations are increasingly betting that AI can drive higher productivity while reducing workforce size. Tying promotions to AI usage appears to be a way to ensure that internal teams align with this strategic shift.

To enforce the new policy, Accenture will reportedly monitor employee engagement with its proprietary AI platforms. This includes tracking log-ins and usage patterns on tools such as AI Refinery, an in-house platform developed in partnership with NVIDIA. Julie Sweet previously described AI Refinery as a platform that will "create opportunities for companies to reimagine their processes and operations."

However, the mandate is not universal. Employees in 12 European countries and those working on US government contracts are exempt, largely due to regulatory and contractual restrictions. It remains unclear whether similar requirements will eventually extend to junior staff.

As artificial intelligence reshapes corporate priorities, one thing is clear: at Accenture and beyond, AI proficiency is fast becoming a career necessity rather than a competitive advantage.