Outside the Box
Companies want workers to embrace AI — but a hardline ultimatum will backfire
Last Updated: Dec. 20, 2025 at 10:38 a.m. ET
First Published: Dec. 18, 2025 at 8:05 a.m. ET
Companies pushing AI adoption on employees through fear are using the wrong motivator. Fear-driven mandates rarely inspire innovation. More often, they create performative compliance that looks like progress but actually limits a company’s growth.
IgniteTech’s recent ultimatum is a good example. The company was blunt when it told employees to spend 20% of their week on AI or lose their job. The CEO framed it as company survival. He’s not alone. Accenture ACN, Concentrix and others have issued similar edicts.
