After CEO Julie Sweet’s ‘exit’ warning, Accenture HR tells senior employees: To get promoted to leadership roles, you would require..
Times of India
by TOI TECH DESKFebruary 19, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Accenture has introduced a new policy linking senior staff promotions to the regular use of its AI tools, following CEO Julie Sweet’s earlier warning that non-adapters could face “exit.” The company is now tracking weekly logins to its AI platforms as part of its talent evaluation process. This move reflects Accenture’s push to integrate AI into its operations, with a focus on leadership development and adaptability. While the firm has trained over 550,000 employees in generative AI and invested heavily in AI partnerships, internal resistance remains significant, with some employees describing the tools as “broken slop generators” and considering leaving if the policy directly affects them.
The policy is part of Accenture’s broader strategy to reposition itself as an AI-first organization. The consulting giant has been emphasizing its role as a “reinventor” in the tech industry, particularly amid declining share prices and efforts to reverse a 42% drop over the past year. However, the shift has not come without challenges. Senior employees, often less comfortable with new technology, are pushing back against the mandate, highlighting the cultural and generational divide in adopting AI tools.
According to internal emails reviewed by the Financial Times, the use of key AI tools will now be a “visible input” to talent discussions during promotion evaluations. This marks one of the most aggressive internal AI mandates seen in major professional services firms. While some groups, such as those working on US federal government contracts or based in 12 European countries, are exempt from the new policy, others face increased pressure to adapt.
The resistance to AI adoption among senior staff underscores a broader challenge faced by many organizations: encouraging long-term employees to embrace new technologies. This issue is particularly acute for
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Originally published on Times of India on 2/19/2026