Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman Pushes Strict In-Office Rules and Open Desks for Collaboration

Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman is enforcing a notably strict in-office work policy within his team, setting a standard that stands out even among the company’s broader return-to-office efforts. Suleyman, who leads Microsoft’s AI division, insists that employees based near an office must work in person at least four days a week—more than the company’s general mandate of three days starting January 26. According to an internal document reviewed by Business Insider, exceptions to this rule require approval from an executive who reports directly to Suleyman. He is a firm believer in the value of in-person collaboration and has actively worked to reshape his team’s culture around physical presence. Suleyman is particularly opposed to traditional office setups with private offices and closed doors. Instead, he favors open floor plans, describing his workspace as consisting of “neighborhoods” with 20 to 30 desks placed closely together. “Much better for collaboration,” he said. “Everyone can see everyone else who's in. You can feel the buzz, like there's a real intensity about the place, and it just creates a lot more informal collaboration. It's so much better.” The AI executive also has a strong preference for Silicon Valley, where he spends much of his time. While he splits his schedule between the region and Microsoft’s Redmond headquarters, most of his team is based in Silicon Valley. “There's just huge talent density here,” he said. “It's the place to be.” Microsoft allows individual teams and organizations to set their own return-to-office and office layout policies. For example, the Corporate, External, and Legal Affairs team has been working in the office at least four days a week for nearly a year. However, other AI-focused groups have more flexible guidelines. Scott Guthrie’s Cloud + AI organization has no specific RTO requirements, while Jay Parikh’s Core AI group will follow the three-day rule starting in February—except for GitHub, which has its own arrangements. Suleyman’s approach reflects a broader belief that proximity fosters innovation, especially in fast-moving fields like AI. His leadership style underscores a growing debate within tech about the future of work, with some leaders championing the energy of shared physical spaces, even as others push for greater flexibility.