Microsoft is offering voluntary buyouts to about 60,000 eligible employees across India, the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada as the technology giant seeks to control workforce costs while increasing investment in artificial intelligence.
The time-limited programme will cover eligible employees at level 70 and below in participating teams, with details expected to be shared shortly after the announcement.
The offer is intended to help employees considering opportunities outside the company transition with support, Chief People Officer Amy Coleman said in a staff memo.
Eligible divisions include AI experiences, Copilot, finance, human resources, Xbox and Windows + Devices. Some teams, including marketing, commercial business and security, will be excluded.
Certain employees working in data centres, sales and marketing will also be ineligible, according to reports.
Microsoft had 223,000 full-time employees globally as of June 30, 2026, compared with 228,000 at the end of 2025.
The latest offer follows an earlier voluntary retirement programme this year that covered around 7% of the company’s US workforce, or approximately 9,000 employees.
Microsoft also announced 4,800 job cuts in July as it restructured its Xbox gaming business.
The buyout initiative comes as Microsoft plans capital expenditure of $175 billion for calendar year 2026, amid growing scrutiny over whether heavy spending on AI infrastructure, data centres and chips will generate sufficient returns.
Microsoft shares rose about 1% on Monday. The company is scheduled to announce its quarterly results later this week, which investors will examine for signs of returns from its AI investments.
