Microsoft Offers Buyouts to 60,000 Employees as AI Spending Rises

Microsoft offered voluntary buyouts to 60,000 employees, about 27% of its global workforce, as it spends heavily on AI, the Associated Press reported. Chief People Officer Amy Coleman said in a blog post on Monday that the offer was available to eligible employees in Canada, India, the United Kingdom and the United States.

"The Voluntary Exit Offer is new for us," Coleman wrote. "We'll learn from it." Microsoft had about 223,000 full-time employees at the end of June and reports quarterly results on Wednesday.

Microsoft cut about 4,800 jobs, or 2.1% of its workforce, in July. Earlier this year it planned buyouts for about 8,750 people, or 7% of its U.S. workforce, according to two people familiar with the plan.