Microsoft(US:MSFT) 3 6 Ke·2025-07-04 02:56Core Insights - Microsoft is undergoing significant layoffs, with the latest round affecting approximately 9,000 employees, particularly impacting the Xbox division, indicating a shift in the company's strategic focus towards AI and cost control [2][3][4]. Group 1: Layoff Details - The recent layoffs are part of a broader trend within the tech industry, where companies are cutting costs to invest more in AI technologies [10]. - Microsoft has previously laid off over 6,000 employees just two months prior to this round, indicating a pattern of ongoing workforce reductions [7][8]. - The layoffs represent less than 4% of Microsoft's total workforce, which has grown from 160,000 in 2020 to 228,000 by mid-2024 [3][9]. Group 2: Company Strategy - Microsoft aims to streamline operations and reduce management layers to enhance efficiency and adapt to a new AI-driven market landscape [3][4]. - The Xbox division is particularly affected, with plans to terminate or scale back certain business areas to focus on strategic growth opportunities [4][5]. - The company is prioritizing resources towards areas with the highest growth potential, despite the current success of its gaming platform [5][10]. Group 3: Employee Sentiment - Long-term employees express emotional difficulty in accepting the layoffs, likening the experience to a painful divorce [2][14]. - There is a growing sentiment among employees that the company is increasingly prioritizing shareholder interests over workforce stability, as evidenced by rising stock prices amidst layoffs [11][10]. - Former employees reflect on their experiences, emphasizing the cultural and emotional ties to the company, while also acknowledging the harsh realities of corporate restructuring [14][23].