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Accenture US makes AI tool adoption key to leadership promotionsAccenture US now requires senior staff to use AI tools for leadership promotion, reflecting its AI adoption push and partnerships with OpenAI and Anthropic.By Gareema Bangad  February 20, 2026, 7:15:16 AM IST (Updated)3 Min ReadAccenture US has informed senior staff that regular use of its artificial intelligence tools will be required for promotion to leadership roles, according to a report by the Financial Times.

The FT reported that associate directors and senior managers were told that “regular adoption” of AI tools would be necessary to progress into leadership positions.

Confirming the accuracy of the report, an Accenture spokesperson told CNBC, “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.”

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

The spokesperson also confirmed that the policy had been outlined in an internal email.

According to the FT, the email stated: “Use of our key tools will be a visible input to talent discussions.”

The report said the policy does not apply to staff in 12 European countries or to employees working in the division handling US government contracts.The move follows Accenture’s broader push to integrate AI across its operations.

In September, the company announced a restructuring plan, saying employees unable to reskill in AI may eventually face layoffs.

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On an earnings call, chief executive Julie Sweet said all employees would be expected to “retrain and retool” at scale, noting that about 550,000 workers had already been reskilled in generative AI fundamentals.

Accenture employs roughly 780,000 people globally.

“Our No. 1 strategy is upskilling, given the skills we need,” Sweet said, adding that where there is no viable path to reskilling, the company would consider exiting employees to bring in new capabilities.

Sweet also told CNBC that “early investment in AI is really paying off.” Speaking earlier on CNBC’s Squawk on the Street, she said: “Every CEO, board and the C-suite recognise that advanced AI is critical to the future. The challenge right now they’re facing is that they’re really excited about the technology and they’re not yet AI ready for most companies.”Accenture has recently expanded partnerships to accelerate AI adoption internally.

In December, it partnered with OpenAI to provide access to ChatGPT Enterprise for tens of thousands of employees.

The firm has also teamed up with Anthropic to train 30,000 employees on Claude AI tools, and with Palantir Technologies to provide AI training to more than 2,000 staff.Continue ReadingFirst Published: Feb 20, 2026 7:15 AM ISTTagsAccentureartificial intelligence AIcareerjob loss