KABUL (Pajhwok): Microsoft is offering voluntary buyouts to about 60,000 employees, or more than a quarter of its global workforce, to reduce costs and help fund its massive investments in artificial intelligence (AI), Reuters reported.
Employees in AI experiences, Copilot, finance, human resources, Xbox and Windows + Devices are eligible, while marketing, commercial business and security staff are excluded, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters.
“This offer gives eligible employees who may be considering a future outside the company a new choice to make that transition now with support. It also gives participating organisations another way to adapt their workforce to changing needs,” Chief People Officer Amy Coleman said in a staff memo.
Microsoft is investing hundreds of billions of dollars in AI data centres and chips. The company has forecast $175 billion in capital expenditure for 2026 and had 223,000 full-time employees worldwide as of June 30, according to its annual filing.
Earlier this year, Microsoft offered voluntary buyouts to about 9,000 US employees. In July, it announced plans to cut 4,800 jobs as part of a restructuring of its Xbox gaming business, including the planned divestment of up to five studios.
The latest programme covers eligible employees at level 70 and below in participating teams in Canada, India, the United Kingdom and the United States. Microsoft said participation was voluntary and the offer would be available for a limited time.
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