A new report from Cisco reveals a striking trend: employees who actively use AI tools are not only more engaged—they’re also far more likely to get promoted.
According to findings released Thursday by Cisco’s People Intelligence team, employees recommended for promotion used AI **50% more often** than those who weren’t. Even more telling? Active AI users were **40% more likely** to be labeled “critical to retain”—a designation that often influences compensation, development opportunities, and long-term career trajectory.
“These patterns suggest that Cisco is becoming a place where AI skills are not only developed but rewarded,” the report states.
The data, gathered over the past year, examined how employees adopted and leveraged AI tools—and how that usage correlated with performance, engagement, and advancement. Cisco’s Chief People Officer, Kelly Jones, told *Business Insider* that AI users reported feeling more connected to the company’s mission, more confident in its direction, and more empowered in their day-to-day roles.
But Cisco isn’t alone.
At **Amazon**, Jamie Siminoff—VP of Product for the home security division—has made AI adoption a formal requirement for promotions. Employees applying for advancement must now explicitly describe how they’re using AI in their work. “Promotions are the only real incentive” to drive adoption, Siminoff noted.
Meanwhile, **Meta** is taking things a step further. In a November internal memo obtained by *Business Insider*, the company announced it will soon tie performance evaluations directly to “AI-driven impact.” Starting this year, employees will be assessed not just on what they deliver—but on how effectively they use AI to boost productivity, build smarter tools, and create measurable value.
What This Means for Your Career
Whether you love AI or remain skeptical, one thing is clear: **proficiency with AI is fast becoming a baseline expectation**—not just a nice-to-have skill. Companies are increasingly viewing AI literacy as a proxy for adaptability, innovation, and future-readiness.
For professionals, this raises important questions:
- Are you keeping pace with the tools reshaping your industry?
- Do you understand how to apply AI ethically and effectively in your role?
- If your workplace begins tying promotions to AI usage, will you be ready—or left behind?
The message from tech giants is unambiguous: in today’s rapidly evolving workplace, embracing AI may no longer be optional if you want to move up.