Fortescue Metals Group has linked employee bonuses to the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) across its operations, underscoring the company’s commitment to embedding the technology at every level of its business. In a recent staff memo, founder Andrew Forrest emphasized that AI literacy would be a critical skill for the future workforce and a key differentiator for the company’s success.
Fortescue has emerged as one of Australia’s most active corporate users of AI, particularly tools developed by OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT. The company has applied AI to accelerate the production and management of its green iron and green hydrogen initiatives, enabling simulations that would take years for human analysts to complete within a matter of months. Despite this focus, Fortescue is reportedly scaling back its investment in green hydrogen as it seeks to industrialize AI technology throughout the organization.
The company aims to reach a 90 percent adoption and capability rate for AI among its more than 6,500 employees, integrating AI proficiency into corporate key performance indicators. Forrest stated that the goal is not merely to use AI for its own sake but to equip staff with the skills and confidence to leverage AI effectively, benefiting both the company and their personal development.
In his memo, Forrest described AI as a transformative force reshaping global industries and challenges. “Every issue in the world is being reshaped by AI right now. That is why I want to set a challenge to all of you today and empower you to grow to meet it,” he said, highlighting the need to avoid complacency as the pace of AI adoption accelerates worldwide.
Earlier this year, Forrest called for international cooperation on AI safety during remarks at the Boao Forum in Perth, describing AI as “the most powerful or dangerous invention” humanity has encountered. Fortescue also announced plans in April to establish data centers powered by renewable energy in Australia’s Pilbara region, aiming to support the growing infrastructure demands of AI developments. Around that time, the company was reported to be negotiating a 2 gigawatt power supply deal with AI firm Anthropic, although Fortescue’s AI and IT director Ellie Coates described data center operations as outside her area of expertise.
Coates emphasized Fortescue’s commitment to sustainability within its AI strategy, noting the company’s focus on minimizing the carbon footprint associated with AI usage. She pointed to advances such as new computer chips with low water consumption as important considerations in aligning AI technology deployment with the company’s green energy goals.
As AI capabilities and applications expand rapidly, Fortescue is clearly positioning the technology as central to its operational and strategic future, underscoring the necessity for staff to embrace AI tools fully or risk missing out on performance-related incentives.