Microsoft plans to hire more but with 'a lot more leverage' thanks to AI, CEO Satya Nadella says

Core Insights - Microsoft is committed to enhancing its artificial intelligence capabilities, allowing consumers to customize the Copilot digital assistant to their needs [1] - The company plans to grow its workforce, focusing on leveraging AI to increase productivity [3][4] Workforce and Employment - Microsoft's workforce remained stable at 228,000 in the 2025 fiscal year, following layoffs that reduced the total by at least 6,000 employees [2] - In July, Microsoft laid off an additional 9,000 workers, indicating a cautious approach to workforce management [2] AI Integration and Productivity - CEO Satya Nadella emphasized that future headcount growth will be more efficient due to AI integration, contrasting it with pre-AI workforce dynamics [3] - Employees will need to adapt to new AI tools in Microsoft 365 and GitHub Copilot, which utilize AI models from Anthropic and OpenAI [4] - Nadella highlighted the transformative nature of AI, comparing it to past technological shifts in corporate practices [5] Financial Performance - Microsoft reported a 12% year-over-year revenue growth, achieving the widest operating margin since 2002 [7] - Azure revenue experienced a significant increase of 40%, reflecting strong demand for cloud services [7] Competitive Landscape - Microsoft is in competition with Amazon in the cloud infrastructure market, with Amazon recently cutting 14,000 corporate jobs [6] - Nadella shared an example of how AI tools have enabled teams to enhance productivity without increasing headcount, showcasing the efficiency gains from AI [6][7]