Microsoft Offers Voluntary Buyouts to 60,000 Employees Amid AI Spending

Employees Across Four Countries Eligible for Microsoft’s Latest Voluntary Exit Offer

By News Desk On Oct 27, 2026

ISLAMABAD: (Web Desk) Microsoft is offering voluntary buyouts to approximately 60,000 employees, representing around 27 per cent of its global workforce, as the technology giant seeks to control costs while increasing investment in artificial intelligence, the company said on Monday.

A Microsoft spokesperson said employees at the vice-president level and below in selected teams across the United States, Canada, India and the United Kingdom would be eligible for the programme. However, certain groups, including some employees working in data centres, sales and marketing, have been excluded.

In a memo to employees, Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer Amy Coleman said the Voluntary Exit Offer was intended to provide greater flexibility and give employees more options as they consider their future careers.

The latest initiative marks Microsoft’s second voluntary buyout programme this year. In April, the company reportedly offered early retirement to around seven per cent of its US workforce.

According to CNBC, approximately 30 per cent of employees eligible for the earlier programme accepted the offer.

Regulatory filings show that Microsoft had 223,000 employees worldwide at the end of June, compared with 228,000 at the end of 2025.

The latest buyout offer comes as Microsoft continues to commit substantial resources to artificial intelligence infrastructure and related technologies. The company is expected to announce its quarterly financial results later this week.