Microsoft offers buyouts to 60,000 employees as AI capex reshapes longtime 'stable' workforce

The New York Times reports Microsoft offered voluntary exit packages to roughly 60,000 employees — about 27% of its 223,000-person workforce — as it shifts spending priorities toward AI infrastructure. Property and equipment capex has climbed from $28.1B in FY23 to $115.9B in FY26, and the company has already cut more than 5,000 roles in 2026 before this offer.