For Google employees, “staying ahead of the curve” means not just developing AI, but also being able to use it every day. In recent months, the company has seen growing pressure for employees to use AI tools in their daily tasks to improve productivity. As Google and other tech giants like Microsoft push the boundaries of what’s possible and research new AI-based products, they want their employees to be at the forefront, too.
In June, for example, Vice President of Engineering Megan Kacholia sent a letter to developers encouraging them to use AI tools to improve their code. He also said that some engineering job descriptions were being updated to explicitly include the requirement to solve problems using AI.
And during a company-wide meeting in July, CEO Sundar Pichai delivered a more direct message: For Google to win the race, employees must embrace AI. According to two employees who heard the speech, Pichai emphasized that competitors would be using AI, and Google must keep pace.
Amid competition with OpenAI and others, Google is promoting its Gemini models and launching internal training programs to encourage employees to try vibe coding and other AI tools to improve productivity.
Managers are increasingly asking their subordinates to demonstrate their “AI expertise.” Several employees, who preferred to remain anonymous, told the publication that their superiors ask them to demonstrate how they use AI in their daily work, assuming this will be taken into account in performance evaluations. “It’s clear that without AI, we can’t move forward,” one worker said.
“The focus is still on delivering on plans,” the salesperson said. “But if AI is being used to create new workflows that others can use, that’s encouraging.” A Google spokesperson, however, said the company actively encourages employees to use AI in their daily work, but that it isn’t officially included in performance evaluation criteria.
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