Amazon Ring Employees Must Demonstrate AI Use for Promotions

Amazon's smart-home division, RBKS, which includes Ring, Blink, Key, and Sidewalk, has introduced a new promotion policy requiring employees to demonstrate effective use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in their work to qualify for advancement. Jamie Siminoff, the founder of Ring and current head of RBKS, emphasized that promotion candidates must provide specific examples of AI application, including generative AI, to enhance customer experience or improve operational efficiency, supported by measurable outcomes. Managers face stricter requirements, needing to show how AI helped them achieve operational gains and cost-efficiency without increasing headcount. This policy is currently limited to the RBKS unit but reflects a broader trend in the tech industry, with companies like Shopify and Microsoft also incorporating AI use into employee evaluations. Amazon CEO Andy Jassy has linked AI adoption to potential workforce reductions due to increased productivity. Siminoff framed the policy as part of fostering innovation, speed, and a culture of intelligent problem-solving within the division.