Daijiworld Media Network- Seattle (DD)

Seattle, Jun 3: In a move sending further ripples through the global tech industry, software giant Microsoft has initiated yet another round of layoffs, affecting over 300 employees. This comes merely weeks after the company let go of more than 6,000 workers, as part of a sweeping organizational overhaul driven by its growing focus on artificial intelligence.

According to official filings in Washington state, employees impacted by the latest job cuts were notified on Monday. A Microsoft spokesperson confirmed the development, stating, “We are making organizational changes necessary to best position the company for success in a dynamic marketplace.”

The layoffs come as Microsoft rapidly scales its AI investments, reshaping internal priorities to stay competitive in the ever-evolving tech landscape. Alongside tech majors like Meta and Salesforce, Microsoft is adopting AI tools to automate operations, particularly in software development — a trend that is redefining traditional job roles.

Though the company has not detailed the departments impacted in this fresh round, insiders indicate that many of the affected roles relate to legacy systems and products no longer aligned with Microsoft’s AI-first strategy.

For those laid off, the news has come as both shocking and disheartening. “It’s bittersweet. I’ve seen how AI can make work more efficient, but I never imagined it would edge me out of the picture,” shared a former Microsoft engineer on condition of anonymity.

Microsoft’s pivot underscores a larger trend in the tech industry, where AI, while heralded as the future, is prompting significant job displacements. As of mid-2024, Microsoft employed around 2.28 lakh full-time staff globally, over half of whom were based in the United States.

While this wave of layoffs affects a small percentage of the workforce, the broader message is stark — the age of AI is reshaping not just technology, but also the job market. With innovation racing ahead, professionals across the board are now faced with the challenge of staying relevant in a world where machines are increasingly doing the heavy lifting.

As industry watchers keep a close eye on Microsoft’s evolving roadmap, the company has reiterated its commitment to “upskilling and reskilling” initiatives, although the path forward remains uncertain for those already shown the exit door.