Cisco’s groundbreaking internal research reveals that employees who actively use AI are significantly more likely to advance their careers, according to a comprehensive report released Thursday by the tech giant’s People Intelligence team. The study found that employees recommended for promotion used AI 50% more frequently than those who were not recommended, marking a clear correlation between AI adoption and career advancement.
The research, conducted over the past year, analyzed AI tool adoption, usage patterns, experience levels, and impact across Cisco’s workforce. The findings show that active AI users—defined as employees who consistently leverage the technology—are 40% more likely to be classified as “critical to retain” by the company. This designation represents Cisco’s highest tier of employee value assessment.
Cisco’s Chief People Officer, Kelly Jones, emphasized the broader benefits of AI adoption, explaining that employees using AI demonstrate higher engagement levels, greater confidence in company direction, and feel more empowered in their roles. “When they’re using AI, they’re more excited about our mission. They’re more confident in where the company is headed, they feel more challenged and empowered to do their roles,” Jones told Business Insider.
This trend extends beyond Cisco, as major tech companies increasingly tie AI proficiency to career advancement. Amazon VP Jamie Siminoff, who oversees the company’s home security division, has mandated that all promotion applications in his division must include descriptions of how employees utilize AI. Siminoff characterized promotions as “the only real incentive” to drive AI adoption across teams.
Meta has also announced plans to integrate AI usage into performance evaluations, according to an internal memo from November seen by Business Insider. The social media giant will assess employees based on their “AI-driven impact,” evaluating how they use AI to deliver results and build productivity-enhancing tools. This represents a fundamental shift in how employee performance is measured at one of the world’s largest technology companies.
The Cisco report concludes that the company is evolving into an environment “where AI skills are not only developed but rewarded,” signaling a broader industry transformation where AI literacy becomes essential for career progression in the technology sector.
Key Quotes
These patterns suggest that Cisco is becoming a place where AI skills are not only developed but rewarded
This statement from Cisco’s report highlights the company’s strategic shift toward making AI proficiency a key factor in career advancement, signaling a fundamental change in how employee value is assessed.
When they’re using AI, they’re more excited about our mission. They’re more confident in where the company is headed, they feel more challenged and empowered to do their roles
Cisco’s Chief People Officer Kelly Jones explained to Business Insider that AI adoption correlates with higher employee engagement and satisfaction, suggesting benefits beyond just productivity gains.
Promotions were the only real incentive for teams to use the technology
Amazon VP Jamie Siminoff justified his requirement that promotion applications include AI usage descriptions, revealing how companies are using career advancement as leverage to drive AI adoption.
Our Take
This development marks a watershed moment in the evolution of workplace skills and career advancement criteria. By explicitly tying promotions to AI usage, major tech companies are fundamentally reshaping the employment landscape and creating a new class divide between AI-proficient and AI-resistant workers. The 50% higher AI usage among promoted employees at Cisco isn’t just a correlation—it’s becoming a causation as companies like Amazon and Meta formalize AI proficiency requirements. This creates a self-reinforcing cycle where AI skills become increasingly essential for advancement, potentially accelerating the technology’s adoption but also raising concerns about workers who lack access to training or tools. The trend also suggests that companies view AI proficiency as a proxy for adaptability, innovation, and future readiness—qualities that have always been valued but are now being measured through a technological lens. This could fundamentally alter hiring, training, and retention strategies across industries beyond tech.
Why This Matters
This research represents a pivotal shift in how technology companies evaluate and reward talent, establishing AI proficiency as a core competency for career advancement rather than an optional skill. The findings have profound implications for the broader workforce, as they suggest that AI literacy is becoming as fundamental to career success as traditional technical skills.
For businesses, this trend signals the need to invest heavily in AI training and upskilling programs to ensure their workforce remains competitive. Companies that fail to prioritize AI adoption risk losing top talent to organizations that reward these skills. The explicit linking of AI usage to promotions and retention strategies also creates a powerful incentive structure that could accelerate AI adoption across industries.
For workers, the message is clear: developing AI skills is no longer optional but essential for career growth. This creates both opportunities and challenges, particularly for employees who may lack access to AI tools or training. The trend also raises questions about equity and inclusion, as those with greater access to AI resources may advance faster than their peers, potentially widening existing workplace disparities.
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Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/cisco-study-using-ai-improved-chances-of-promotion-2026-1