Microsoft offers exit packages to 60,000 staff as AI spending surges

Microsoft is extending voluntary buyout offers to approximately 60,000 employees, a group representing roughly one-quarter of its global workforce. The program launches as the company directs substantial capital toward artificial intelligence infrastructure.

The exit packages are available to eligible staff in the United States, Canada, India, and the United Kingdom. To qualify, employees must hold positions at the vice president level or lower. Amy Coleman, Microsoft's chief people officer, stated in an internal memo that the offer provides a supported transition for those considering leaving the company.

Financial commitments drive the timing of these personnel changes. Chief Financial Officer Amy Hood told Wall Street analysts in July that Microsoft expects to spend $175 billion on AI infrastructure in 2026. This expenditure includes investments in data centers and other technical assets required for the company's strategic pivot.

This move follows a pattern of workforce adjustments earlier in the year. In May, the company planned buyouts for about 8,750 U.S. workers, or 7% of that domestic workforce. In July, Microsoft cut 4,800 jobs, a reduction equivalent to about 2% of its global headcount, with many of those positions in the business division.

Headcount numbers show a steady decline. Regulatory filings indicate that global employment fell from 228,000 at the end of 2025 to 223,000 by the end of June. Agence France-Presse calculated that 27% of the current workforce is eligible for the new offer. The company limits the program to mid-level workers and excludes certain business units, specifically those focused on data centers, sales, and marketing.

Coleman announced that eligible employees will receive notification via email on Monday. The program is designed to reduce labor costs while providing departing staff with financial resources and career planning support. The company described the offer period as limited in duration.