Microsoft Offers 60,000 Employees the Chance to Leave: Has the AI‑Driven Employment Apocalypse Begun?

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Even employees who work on Copilot are affected. Monday October 26, 2026, Microsoft announced a voluntary departure program open to around 60,000 people, or 27% of its global workforce (more than a quarter!). According to a source close to the matter cited by Reuters, several activities are affected: artificial intelligence, Copilot, finance, human resources, Xbox, as well as Windows and devices.

This is not the 60,000 layoffs announced: this figure corresponds to the employees who can benefit from the offer. Microsoft did not specify how many departures it wanted to obtain. The system concerns certain teams in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and India. In particular, marketing, sales and security services would be excluded.

“This offer allows eligible employees who are considering a future outside the company to make this transition now with support,” explains human resources director Amy Coleman in her note to employees. She also sees it as a way “to adapt their workforce to changing needs. »

The announcement comes on top of several waves of workforce reductions at Microsoft. It comes especially at a time when the group is spending considerable sums on AI, from which it also expects productivity gains. Enough to fuel fears of an “employment apocalypse”.

Repeated departures and a rising AI bill Microsoft had already offered, earlier in the year, voluntary retirements to around 9,000 employees, or 7% of its American workforce. In July, the group also announced the elimination of 4,800 jobs worldwide, after more than 15,000 in 2025. This latest wave particularly affected Xbox, engaged in restructuring and studio sales to improve the profitability of its activity.

Amy Coleman then assured that the eliminated positions were “not replaced by AI”, while recognizing that certain daily tasks could now be automated. An important clarification: Microsoft did not present these layoffs as the result of a direct replacement of employees by its tools.

And your digital life becomes peaceful Bitdefender Premium Security is a European cybersecurity solution that automatically protects you against hackers and all web threats. Enjoy your online activities with complete peace of mind Sponsored Cybersecurity is on sale The cost of AI nevertheless plays a role in the group's decisions. According to Reuters, the new program should make it possible to control expenses and finance its massive investments in this technology.

And for good reason: Microsoft plans $175 billion in investments for the calendar year 2026, particularly in data centers and chips. Amounts that worry investors about their future profitability. The quarterly results, expected Wednesday October 28 after the close of the American markets, will be an opportunity to find out more about this bill.

Machine-translated from French