Yahoo Japan to all its 11,000 employees: Using AI is mandatory to…

Yahoo Japan

has announced that all 11,000 employees must integrate generative AI into their daily work tasks, aiming to double productivity by 2028 through comprehensive automation of routine workplace functions.The company, which also operates the popular LINE messaging app, will require staff to use AI tools for research, meeting documentation, expense management, and competitive analysis. The initiative targets tasks that consume approximately 30% of employees' time, including searching, drafting, and routine documentation.Yahoo

Japan

has already developed internal tools like SeekAI to manage expense claims and data searches using prompt templates. AI will also create agendas, summarize meetings, and proofread reports, enabling employees to focus on higher-level decision-making and strategic discussions rather than administrative tasks.

Other tech giants also jump on the mandatory AI bandwagon

Yahoo Japan isn't alone in forcing employees to embrace artificial intelligence. Shopify CEO Tobi Lütke established AI use as a "baseline expectation" in an internal memo, requiring teams to demonstrate why AI cannot accomplish tasks before requesting additional resources.Amazon has taken an even more aggressive approach, with CEO Andy Jassy telling employees the company will need "fewer people doing some of the jobs" as AI automation expands. The e-commerce giant currently operates over 1,000 generative AI services and has cut more than 27,000 jobs since 2022, linking workforce reductions to AI-driven efficiency gains.Amazon's Ring division now requires employees to demonstrate AI usage for promotion eligibility, according to TechRadar. The company reported its AI coding assistant saved programmers 4,500 years of work through automated software upgrades.

Will forced AI use actually boost workplace productivity

While companies tout productivity benefits, research suggests mixed outcomes from mandatory AI adoption. Some studies indicate AI may decrease rather than increase overall workplace productivity, raising questions about aggressive implementation timelines.Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai has dismissed job displacement fears, describing AI as "an accelerator" that eliminates tedious tasks while creating opportunities for higher-value work. However, employee reactions remain skeptical, with Amazon workers expressing concerns about job security on internal communication channels.Yahoo Japan's comprehensive mandate represents a significant test case for whether mandatory AI integration can deliver promised productivity gains.