Technology giant Microsoft is set to eliminate around 6,000 jobs worldwide as part of a significant restructuring initiative.
The tech firm states that its goal is to simplify its organizational structure and enhance the utilization of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence. This move is intended to bolster the company’s competitive edge in a rapidly evolving market.
While the AI-focused tech giant did not disclose the precise number of job cuts, US media outlets have reported that it will affect approximately 6,000 employees — roughly three percent of its global workforce.
According to a filing submitted to the state’s labor affairs agency, this figure includes 1,985 workers within its home state of Washington.
“We continue to implement organizational changes necessary to best position the company for success in a dynamic marketplace,” a Microsoft spokesperson conveyed in an emailed statement.
The company, which is actively advancing its plans to integrate AI across its entire product line, also indicated its commitment to “empower employees to spend more time focusing on meaningful work by leveraging new technologies and capabilities.”
Two weeks prior, Microsoft reported robust quarterly earnings for the January to March period, driven by strong performance in its cloud computing and artificial intelligence divisions.
The company, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, was among the first major tech players to significantly invest in artificial intelligence following the launch of ChatGPT in 2022, a development that significantly impacted the tech industry.
