Microsoft Layoffs Hit 9,000 Staff Worldwide — What Does It Mean For The Tech Future?

Microsoft (Washington) [United States] July 02:  Microsoft has announced another big round of layoffs, affecting about 9,000 employees. This comes just months after a previous round that impacted 6,000 workers. The latest job cuts touch multiple departments globally, including the Xbox gaming team and sales. The company said this step is to align with future goals and stay ready for changes in the tech market. Employees around the world are shocked by the sudden news, with many receiving updates via short internal meetings.

Sales And Xbox Teams Impacted Globally

The job cuts are not limited to one place or department. Teams from Europe to the United States are feeling the impact. Reports say the Stockholm-based Candy Crush team is losing 10% of staff. In other offices like ZeniMax, workers were also told about job losses. Microsoft stated this change was needed to keep their focus strong and their structure future-ready. Even popular sections like the Xbox business were not safe this time.

Company Says Layoffs Are A Business Need

Microsoft said in its official note that it regularly updates its team strength to match what the business demands. It believes this is the best way to stay stable in today’s fast-moving world. As AI field is growing,The company is now focusing more on artificial intelligence. Job roles will be shifted accordingly. Using third-party sellers for small software sales is also part of this plan. These changes may save money but have left many employees confused and stressed.

Not The First Time Mass Cuts Have Hit

This is not the first major round of cuts. In 2023, Microsoft removed 10,000 jobs, making it one of its biggest layoffs ever. In May, about 6,000 employees were also let go. The current layoff is part of this ongoing change. Together, these steps are making employees wonder what lies ahead. With about 228,000 employees last year, this round affects nearly 4% of Microsoft’s workforce.

Artificial Intelligence Changes Everything

Microsoft is investing big in AI to stay ahead of others in the tech race. But that means many roles are being replaced or moved. The company hopes this new direction will lead to growth. But for many, the sudden loss of jobs is hard to accept. From engineers to customer managers, many are now searching for their next opportunity. The tech world might be growing fast, but it is also changing fast. Not everyone can keep up with this fast growing AI field.