Microsoft cites 'new technologies' in decision to cut staff

Core Viewpoint - Microsoft is reducing unnecessary management layers and laying off approximately 6,000 employees, which is about 3% of its global workforce, to adapt to a dynamic marketplace and leverage new technologies [2][3]. Group 1: Job Cuts and Workforce Changes - Microsoft is laying off around 6,000 employees, including 1,985 in Washington state, as part of its organizational changes [2]. - The layoffs represent about 3% of Microsoft's global workforce, although the company did not disclose the total number of job losses [2]. Group 2: Technological Advancements and Business Strategy - The company is focusing on deploying AI across all its products and aims to empower employees to engage in more meaningful work through new technologies [3]. - Microsoft recently reported strong quarterly results driven by its cloud computing and AI sectors, indicating a robust performance in these areas [3]. Group 3: Historical Context and Industry Position - Celebrating its 50th anniversary, Microsoft was among the first tech giants to invest heavily in artificial intelligence following the launch of ChatGPT in 2022, which significantly impacted the tech industry [4].