Microsoft offers buyouts to about 60,000 employees as it reshapes workforce for AI

Microsoft is offering voluntary buyouts to around 60,000 employees as part of its latest push to cut costs and reshape its workforce around AI, according to Business Insider and Bloomberg. The buyout offer applies to employees at the vice president level and below on select teams in the U.S., Canada, India and the U.K., while certain roles, including data center, sales and marketing positions, are excluded.

Chief People Officer Amy Coleman sent a memo to employees on Monday (Oct. 26) announcing the program. The memo said the Voluntary Exit Offer reflects the company's evolving approach to change and gives eligible employees considering a future outside Microsoft a new choice to make the transition now with support. Employees who accept will receive benefits similar to standard severance.

Earlier in 2026, Microsoft offered buyouts to retirement-age employees, and more than 30% of roughly 8,750 eligible workers accepted. Microsoft has not responded to TechCrunch's request for comment.