NewsKRON4 — NewsOctober 26, 2026San Francisco County
Microsoft offers voluntary buyouts to 60,000 employees amid rising AI investments
Photo: KRON4 — News
Microsoft is offering voluntary exit packages to approximately 60,000 employees across four countries as the company increases spending on artificial intelligence. The buyout offer was announced by Chief People Officer Amy Coleman on Monday, following previous job cuts and smaller buyout plans earlier in the year.
Read the full story at KRON4 — NewsWhy It Matters
About 27% of Microsoft's global workforce is eligible for voluntary departure while the company accelerates heavy capital expenditures on data centers and artificial intelligence infrastructure that are driving up broader equipment and energy costs.
Key Facts
- Microsoft offered voluntary buyouts to approximately 60,000 employees, representing about 27% of its global workforce.
- The voluntary exit offer is available to eligible employees in Canada, India, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
- The announcement was made by Chief People Officer Amy Coleman in a blog post on Monday.
- Microsoft had approximately 223,000 full-time employees at the end of June.
- The company is scheduled to release its quarterly financial results on Wednesday.
- In May, Microsoft planned to offer buyouts to about 8,750 people or 7% of its U.S. workforce.
- In July, Microsoft cut 4,800 jobs, accounting for about 2.1% of its global workforce, including cuts at its Xbox video game business.
- Global investment in data centers to power artificial intelligence is expected to top $700 billion this year.
- Heavy AI data center spending is making memory chips, computer processors, equipment, and electricity more expensive, pushing up inflation.
- In 2024, Microsoft revealed a new class of AI personal computers featuring its Copilot assistant.
- In October 2025, Microsoft introduced a new AI character named Mico.
Who's Mentioned
PersonAmy Coleman“Chief People Officer who wrote the blog post announcing the offer”locationUnited Kingdom“Country where eligible employees can receive the voluntary exit offer”OrganizationMico“Artificial intelligence character introduced by Microsoft”locationUnited States“Country where eligible employees can receive the voluntary exit offer”OrganizationMicrosoft“Software giant offering voluntary buyouts”locationCanada“Country where eligible employees can receive the voluntary exit offer”locationIndia“Country where eligible employees can receive the voluntary exit offer”locationRedmond“City in Washington where Microsoft is based”locationWashington“State where Microsoft is based”OrganizationXbox“Video game business division that saw a large number of worker cuts”OrganizationCopilot“Microsoft's AI assistant fused into the Windows operating system”