Microsoft expands voluntary buyout program for 60,000 staff amid AI push
The Verge reported that Microsoft expanded its voluntary buyout program on 29 October, offering exit packages to about 60,000 employees globally as the company continues to cut headcount while investing in artificial-intelligence operations. Earlier, on 26 October, the company announced a voluntary exit program covering up to 60,000 staff – roughly a quarter of its global workforce – in the United States, Canada, India and the United Kingdom, according to Business Insider and NDTV. The Hindu noted the initiative was part of cost-cutting measures to fund AI expansion.
The Indian Express said Indian employees had until 1 December to decide, and NDTV reported that a 23-year-old engineer in Hyderabad disclosed a payout of about Rs 11 lakh. Microsoft’s chief financial officer later said, citing Business Insider, that fewer than 3,000 workers were expected to accept the buyout because of strong growth opportunities.