Microsoft Offers Voluntary Exit to Nearly 60,000 Employees Amid AI Investment Strategy
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- ITmedia.co.jp
On October 26, Microsoft announced a 'Voluntary Exit Offer' (VEO) to employees, potentially affecting up to 60,000 workers across Canada, India, the UK, and the US. This initiative targets employees at Level 70 and below, excluding top executives, and includes divisions such as Xbox, Windows & Devices, and AI Experiences.
This move is significant as it represents 27% of Microsoft's global workforce of 223,000 as of June 30, 2026. The decision to offer voluntary exits, particularly in the AI sector, raises questions about the company's resource allocation and the implications of its substantial investments in AI technologies.
Microsoft's ongoing focus on AI and cloud services, highlighted by its recent financial disclosures, indicates a strategic shift. The company reported Azure revenues of $33.2 billion, emphasizing its transformation from a software-centric to a cloud-centric business model. No further timeline was disclosed at the time of publication.
Original report
[ITmedia PC USER] 米Microsoftはなぜ最大6万人に早期退職を打診するのか？ 決算資料から読み解く巨額AI投資の“台所事情”
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