Microsoft again cuts thousands of jobs

Software giant Microsoft is eliminating thousands of jobs for the second time in less than two months. The cuts will affect less than 4 percent of the workforce, the company announced. An exact number was not disclosed. As of the last available figure at the end of June 2024, Microsoft had approximately 228,000 employees, 126,000 of whom were in the United States. In May, Microsoft reported reducing its workforce by less than 3 percent – but also did not provide a specific number.
Microsoft has now pointed out that it regularly adjusts its workforce to reflect "strategic priorities." The Xbox game console business will also be affected. Some business activities there will be discontinued and management levels eliminated, according to an email from Xbox CEO Phil Spencer published by the industry publication "Variety."
Microsoft had already cut around 10,000 jobs at the beginning of 2023. Large tech companies saw their workforces grow significantly during the coronavirus pandemic.
Microsoft is currently investing heavily in data centers for artificial intelligence (AI). It planned to spend around $80 billion on these in the fiscal year ending June alone.
RND/dpa
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