Yahoo Japan has ordered its 11,000 employees to begin using generative artificial intelligence tools in their daily tasks, making AI use not just encouraged, but compulsory.
The policy, which covers a wide range of office functions including document creation, search, research, communications, and meeting logistics, is part of a company-wide effort to double worker productivity by 2028.
The Japanese tech giant, which operates the Line messaging app and a number of other web services, says workers spend nearly 30% of their time on routine tasks—time it believes can be significantly cut with AI. For now, Yahoo Japan is relying on its in-house AI tool, SeekAI, already being used to handle expense reimbursement and prompt generation. That tool, and others, will now be deployed more broadly for proofreading, writing, planning, and communications.
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This bold move, first reported by PC Watch, reflects a growing trend in the corporate world, where AI is no longer just an enhancement tool but a central expectation of employee workflow. Earlier this year, Shopify CEO Tobi Lütke issued a similar directive to his employees, declaring that AI use was now a “baseline expectation.” Teams were told not to request additional headcount or resources without first demonstrating that AI couldn’t achieve the desired result.
The Productivity Question
Companies betting heavily on generative AI believe it can act as a powerful productivity multiplier. Tasks that previously took hours can be compressed into minutes using large language models. This automation of mundane functions, they argue, frees workers to focus on high-level, strategic, or creative assignments.
But emerging data and workplace experiences tell a more complicated story.
Multiple studies have shown that AI does not always improve productivity—and in some cases, it can do the opposite. A recent report involving professional software engineers found that developers took 19% longer to complete tasks when using AI tools. Other studies from last year found that AI use often resulted in slower work speeds, particularly in knowledge-heavy fields that rely on depth and accuracy.
Call center workers in particular have complained that AI assistants—designed to make support calls smoother and faster—often disrupt workflow by giving incomplete or incorrect suggestions. In those environments, the result was increased frustration and a drop in performance.
Amazon warehouse and tech workers have raised similar concerns, describing AI-driven expectations as “relentless,” creating pressure to maintain continuous output at the expense of creativity and worker well-being.
AI’s Effect on Critical Thinking
One of the core concerns among analysts and educators is that over-reliance on AI in everyday tasks could degrade critical thinking and problem-solving abilities over time. With machines generating summaries, conclusions, and even proposals, some fear employees will be less inclined—or less able—to challenge assumptions, apply deep reasoning, or innovate on their own.
Despite these concerns, business leaders and tech executives continue to advocate for AI adoption. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, whose company dominates the AI chip market, has repeatedly defended the use of AI tools in the workplace. Huang argues that rather than replacing thinking, AI helps amplify human capabilities—especially for those with limited expertise or access to tools. In his view, AI will “democratize” productivity, allowing more people to perform skilled tasks and accelerate their learning curve in complex industries.
“AI is not going to take your job,” Huang said. “But someone using AI will.”
The Unspoken Risks
What’s not yet clear in Yahoo Japan’s strategy is what happens if the ambitious productivity goals aren’t met. The company has not disclosed whether there are enforcement mechanisms or performance reviews tied to AI integration. And while the firm has stopped short of cutting staff, the rapid automation of basic functions raises questions about future workforce needs.
However, the message from Yahoo Japan is that the future of work lies with artificial intelligence, and employees are expected to embrace it as the new standard.