Tech Companies Now Expect Employees to Use AI—Here’s How Experts Say to Do It Right
Artificial intelligence is no longer optional in many workplaces, especially in the tech world. More companies are now requiring their employees to adopt AI tools as part of their everyday responsibilities.
Shopify, for instance, is making AI a company-wide expectation. In an April 7 memo posted on X, co-founder and CEO Tobias Lütke said:
“Using AI effectively is now a fundamental expectation of everyone at Shopify. It’s a tool of all trades today and will only grow in importance. Frankly, I don’t think it’s feasible to opt out.”
Fiverr CEO Micha Kaufmann echoed that urgency in his own memo, urging employees and freelancers to “study, research and master” AI tools relevant to their roles.
“AI is coming for your jobs… It’s coming for my job, too,” he wrote.
Duolingo CEO Luis von Ahn took it a step further, announcing on LinkedIn that the company will become “AI-first,” and plans to phase out contractors for tasks AI can handle.
“Headcount will only be given if a team cannot automate more of their work,” he said.
These shifts reflect what leaders like Bill Gates and Mark Cuban have long predicted: AI will dramatically reshape how we live and work—possibly within the next decade.
But simply mandating AI use won’t make it effective. Experts say leaders must take a thoughtful approach if they want employees to embrace it.
What Good Leaders Should Actually Do
“Invest in the infrastructure,” says Rohan Verma, head of executive coaching firm Arbor Advisory. Verma helped GitHub (owned by Microsoft) implement Copilot AI and says the success came from structured support—not just commands.
“They rolled out formal coaching, resources, and onboarding. It wasn’t just ‘use the tool’—it was, ‘here’s how to thrive with it,’” Verma explains.
Kalifa Oliver, executive advisor and Ford’s global director for employee experience, agrees. She suggests starting by assessing how familiar employees are with AI tools and then offering training that meets them where they are.
That might include:
- Online courses
- Internal mentors
- Assessments to identify skill gaps
But Oliver also offers a caution: Don’t view AI purely as a cost-cutting tool. Automating too much or eliminating human oversight can backfire, especially since even top-tier AI makes factual errors.
“I think CEOs will start taking an all-in stance because it sounds good,” Oliver says. “But whether that’s the right stance to take is another matter.”