The Digital Press

Tech CEOs are increasingly pushing an "AI-first" mandate, requiring employees to use AI tools as part of their performance evaluations, which may reflect more on leadership anxieties than on actual workplace needs.

Why it matters: Mandating AI use may undermine worker autonomy and signal distrust in employees' skills.

The big picture: This trend follows past tech fads like "founder mode" and forced returns to office, rooted in groupthink among CEOs.

The other side: Some argue top-down pushes for new tech like AI are necessary to overcome worker resistance and drive adoption.

Commenters say: Many see these memos as performative, reflecting CEO insecurity and fear of missing trends rather than genuine productivity gains.