Some big corporations are already making AI mandatory at work. Are you ready if this comes into your organisation?
In today’s long-listen, I’m answering the question: ‘What if using AI at work wasn’t optional, but required?’
My new book, AI Playbook, is a great place for you to start. I wrote it to help you progress your communications or marketing career. It’s now available to pre-order. https://aimarketingplaybook.ie/
I’m sharing a recent Digital Download segment from Good Morning Dublin on Dublin City FM, where I joined Michael O’Kane to talk about Microsoft’s bold new move: making AI use mandatory for employees.
Microsoft’s Bold AI Mandate
In the last few weeks, Microsoft announced that employees across every department and role must now integrate AI into their work. This includes tools like GitHub Copilot for developers and Microsoft 365 Copilot, their version of ChatGPT.
It’s not just a gentle nudge either. Staff are expected to use AI tools in their daily tasks, and their usage will be reflected in performance reviews. Training will be provided, of course, but this move makes it clear that AI is no longer a “nice to have” skill – it’s a professional necessity.
Microsoft has a vested interest, given its investments in OpenAI and its suite of AI products, but it’s also signalling where the future of work is heading.
Opportunity or Threat?
One of the first questions I’m always asked when we discuss mandatory AI use is, “Does this mean employers will start replacing people with machines?”
It’s a fair concern, and I’ve been thinking about it too. Recently, a spokesperson from the Financial Services Union said that unions must be part of these evolving work practices, ensuring staff are both upskilled and protected.
I completely agree. AI isn’t about pushing people out – it’s about pulling them forward. But it’s also a reminder that the workplace is changing faster than many of us expected.
I often quote Ernest Hemingway at the start of my new book, The AI Playbook:
“Gradually, then suddenly.”
That sums up AI perfectly. It has been coming gradually since the 1950s, but from late 2023 to now, it feels like it arrived suddenly. The pace of change is rapid, and we need to respond with urgency, not panic.
Why Every Organisation Needs an AI Conversation
I recently revisited Ireland’s national AI strategy, and one of the milestones caught my attention. By mid-2026, there will be a safe environment for the public and civil servants to experiment and learn about AI. By then, all staff should be trained.
That’s a positive step, but we shouldn’t wait until 2026. Every organisation should start having AI conversations right now. Gather your teams, invite an expert, and ask the big questions:
What is AI? How could it improve our systems and workflows? What would it look like in our organisation?
It’s also time for every organisation to create an AI policy. Microsoft and Trinity College Dublin’s joint report earlier this year showed that nearly 30% of employees are already using AI at work, even where no policy exists. That’s what we call “shadow AI” – and it highlights just how much people are experimenting on their own.
If we don’t guide that usage, we risk confusion, inconsistency, and mistrust. Transparency and collaboration are key. Knowledge empowers people, while secrecy breeds fear.
How I’m Embracing AI in My Own Business
As a business owner, I don’t just talk about AI – I use it. My team and I are constantly exploring how it can help with design, systems, workflows, and project management.
In fact, I’ve built a beta version of my own AI assistant called AI Jane. She’s trained on all my books, podcasts, webinars, and training materials. She’s currently being tested by a focus group of public sector marketers.
For me, it’s about learning together. I encourage my team to experiment, to make mistakes, and to build confidence. Nothing leaves our organisation until it’s tested and refined internally. I often remind my team – and myself – that none of us knows everything. We’re all still learning. The goal is to grow together and stay curious.
Should AI Really Be Mandatory?
This is where I think we need balance. We can meet somewhere in the middle between “shadow AI” and strict enforcement. Perhaps it’s less about making AI mandatory and more about creating a culture of encouragement and exploration.
When people feel empowered rather than pressured, they’re more likely to embrace new tools. And let’s be honest – most of us are already using AI in some form, whether we realise it or not.
The real challenge is to make sure we’re using it safely, ethically, and effectively.
The Future Is Already Here
AI isn’t coming – it’s here. The question is how we adapt to it, not whether we will.
With knowledge comes empowerment. The more we understand, the more confident we become in using AI to enhance our work rather than replace it.
So, as Microsoft, Shopify, and others lead this change, I’ll leave you with this question: Are you ready for AI to be mandatory in your workplace?
About the Podcast Host
Joanne Sweeney is a specialist in public-sector marketing and digital communications. She’s the author of Public Sector Marketing Pro and the creator of the Professional Diploma in AI for Public Sector Marketing. With years of experience in training, consulting, and advocating for digital transformation, Joanne provides insight and guidance for government agencies navigating the digital landscape. She is also the host of the award-winning Public Sector Marketing Show podcast.
