USMicrosoft offers voluntary exit to about 60,000 employees amid $170 billion AI spending

Microsoft launched a voluntary exit program for employees in Canada, India, the UK and the US, Mashable reported on Oct. 27. Microsoft announced it in a Monday blog post without giving a number; CBS News and others report about 60,000 employees, roughly a quarter of its global workforce, will get the offer.

"The Voluntary Exit Offer is new for us. We'll learn from it," chief people officer Amy Coleman wrote. Not everyone will accept.

Microsoft was expected to spend $175 billion on AI infrastructure this year, and at its Oct. 28 report it trimmed its capex forecast to $170 billion. It has laid off thousands across divisions in recent years.