Microsoft's top AI boss has a message for engineers using GitHub Copilot
Microsoft EVP Jay Parikh has told engineers that "tokenmaxxing is not what we are optimizing for," in an internal memo first reported by 404 Media. Microsoft has made OpenAI's cheaper GPT-5.6 the default internal model, set AI token budget targets for every division, and given employees dashboards to track individual GitHub Copilot spend. Many engineers, the guidelines note, burn hundreds to…
Microsoft's top AI executive, Jay Parikh, has issued a directive to engineers using GitHub Copilot, urging them to use the AI more judiciously. In an internal email, Parikh stated that "tokenmaxxing is not what we are optimizing for," and reinforced this with new policies. OpenAI's cheaper GPT-5.6 now serves as the default model for internal use, with every Microsoft division having an AI token budget target.
Employees can monitor their AI usage through a dedicated dashboard, with the cost of these tokens factored into Microsoft's financials. The memo, reported by 404 Media, reveals that internal Copilot guidelines indicate engineers spend from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars monthly on tokens, with tighter restrictions potentially on the horizon.
Parikh framed this change as discipline, emphasizing the need to manage token consumption with the same rigor applied to other critical resources. Despite the financial context supporting this, Microsoft remains committed to its AI-first approach, aiming for more impact per token rather than fewer tokens.
Written by urgent.news from Times of India's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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