No AI, No Promotion: Accenture Mandates 'Use Of Key Tools' For Leadership Roles

Last Updated:February 20, 2026, 14:35 IST

Accenture has made regular use of internal AI tools a key factor in leadership promotions, signaling a shift toward AI-driven performance evaluation.

Global consulting major Accenture has made regular use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools a key factor in leadership promotions, signalling a deeper institutional push toward embedding AI into everyday work processes as companies accelerate digital transformation.

According to a Financial Times report, associate directors and senior managers at the firm have been informed that “regular adoption" of internal AI tools will be required to progress into leadership roles.

An Accenture spokesperson confirmed the development to CNBC, saying the report was accurate and aligned with the company’s broader strategic direction.

“Our strategy is to be the reinvention partner of choice for our clients and to be the most client-focused, AI-enabled, great place to work," the spokesperson said.

“That requires the adoption of the latest tools and technologies to serve our clients most effectively," the spokesperson added.

The spokesperson also confirmed that the requirement had been outlined in an internal email to employees.

According to the Financial Times, the communication stated that “use of our key tools will be a visible input to talent discussions," indicating that AI engagement will directly influence promotion deliberations.

The report noted that the policy does not apply uniformly across all geographies.

Employees in 12 European countries, as well as those working in divisions handling US government contracts, are reportedly unaffected by the requirement.

ACCENTURE CEO ENCOURAGES USE OF AI

The company’s internal push toward AI adoption comes alongside remarks by Accenture Chair and Chief Executive Officer Julie Sweet, who highlighted the growing importance of AI integration across economies and education systems while speaking at the India AI Impact Summit 2026.

Sweet praised India’s approach to early AI education, saying, “Education is no longer a destination. We have to have lifelong learning. India’s doing a great job of embedding AI into the educational system, starting in primary school, and governments across the world will need to do so."

She noted that Accenture employs over 3.5 lakh people in India and operates one of the world’s largest AI workforces integrated with global hubs across the US, Europe, the Middle East and Japan.

“At Accenture, we’re incredibly proud to have over 3,50,000 and growing reinventors here in India," she said, underscoring the country’s central role in the company’s global AI strategy.

Addressing concerns that AI adoption could lead to large-scale job losses, Sweet drew parallels with earlier technological shifts, including robotic process automation.

“When companies and countries embrace new technologies and then use them to drive growth and productivity, they prosper," she said.

Referring to earlier automation waves, she added that while thousands of roles were automated, industries ultimately expanded and created new employment opportunities.

“We used RPA to automate thousands of jobs, and we created many, many more jobs," she said.

Sweet emphasised that entry-level hiring remains critical despite AI-led transformation.

“Entry-level jobs make economic sense. They’re the only way to create future leaders. And they bring needed, truly AI-needed talent to each of our organisations," she said, adding that Accenture plans to hire more entry-level employees this year than last year.

ACCESS, PARTNERSHIPS AND GLOBAL STANDARDS

The Accenture CEO also stressed the need to ensure equitable access to AI technologies, particularly for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which account for about half of global GDP and a large share of employment in the Global South.

“We must commit to providing access to the technology and the talent for small and medium-sized Enterprises," Sweet said, adding that public-private partnerships would be essential to expanding access.

Calling the AI transition an “unprecedented" phase of reinvention, she urged companies and governments to invest in workforce reskilling and support global standards governing AI safety and deployment.

“Technology, no matter how powerful, is only a tool," Sweet said, emphasising that leadership decisions will ultimately determine how AI shapes the future of work.

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