Microsoft Exec Says AI Turns Career Ladder Into Wall
Microsoft's chief economic opportunity officer says AI is replacing predictable promotion routes with paths workers must chart themselves.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Careers
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Aneesh Raman, Microsoft's chief economic opportunity officer, said artificial intelligence is replacing the traditional career ladder with a climbing wall, in which advancement moves in multiple directions. The remarks, made to Fortune at a recent industry event, come as Microsoft launched a voluntary exit programme covering about 60,000 employees globally.
Why it matters
AI automates more workplace tasks and reshapes job descriptions, causing predictable career routes to disappear. For workers worldwide, this shifts responsibility for planning careers onto individuals based on their skills, interests and available opportunities.
A survey of 2,178 India-based professionals found 91% of Microsoft India employees received raises of 5% or less, up from 45% a year earlier. Microsoft reported quarterly net income of $36.6 billion, up 32% year-on-year, on revenue of $92.3 billion, up 19%.
The players
Microsoft
A multinational technology corporation that develops software, cloud services and hardware, and whose Azure cloud platform grew 48% in the reported period.
Aneesh Raman
Microsoft's chief economic opportunity officer, who has discussed how AI is reshaping careers and economic mobility.
Amy Coleman
Microsoft's chief people officer, responsible for the company's human resources and workforce policies.
Fortune
A business magazine and media company that publishes coverage of corporate leadership, markets and the economy.
The details
Raman described a model in which workers chart their own paths based on skills rather than predefined hierarchies, and said skills such as empathy, judgement and relationship-building may grow in value as routine tasks are automated. Amy Coleman, Microsoft's chief people officer, unveiled the voluntary exit programme, while 86% of Microsoft respondents in the survey said they were dissatisfied with their increments.
Timeline
This year: India-based Microsoft employees received salary hikes of 5% or less.
Recent quarter: Microsoft reported $36.6 billion in quarterly net income.
Recent industry event: Raman told Fortune that AI is replacing the career ladder.
Career Landscape
Raman's climbing-wall model departs from the traditional corporate career ladder, in which employees advanced through predictable hierarchical rungs. The shift places more responsibility on individual workers to build careers around skills and opportunities rather than fixed promotion paths.
Workers may need to plan careers around their own skills and opportunities rather than expecting predictable promotions. Employees whose raises have shrunk or who face corporate restructuring may need to reassess their career options.
The takeaway
Developing skills such as judgement, empathy and relationship-building may help workers stay valuable as AI automates routine tasks. Taking ownership of your own career path, rather than waiting for a predictable promotion, may become increasingly important.
Further reading
For more on how shifting job structures affect workers, explore our Careers coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by MoneyControl.
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