Two major US tech companies announce mass layoffs amid Artificial Intelligence boom. Check details
Recently, Bloomberg reported that after cutting 6,000 employees in May, tech giant Microsoft Corporation plans to layoff 'thousands' more jobs next month, particularly in sales. This comes as the company looks to 'trim its workforce' amid increased spending on artificial intelligence (AI), it added. The layoffs are expected to be across teams, with major hits likely among sales employees, sources told Bloomberg.
ALSO READ:
'If you can rent Venice...': Jeff Bezos-Lauren Sanchez's lavish wedding sparks major uproar
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
If You Eat Ginger Everyday for 1 Month This is What Happens
Tips and Tricks
Undo
Microsoft layoffs in 2025
Microsoft is reportedly going to sack employees in its Xbox division next week, reports Bloomberg as part of a broader company-wide reorganisation. This is the fourth major layoff for Xbox in the past 18 months, following three significant reductions last year and the closure of several subsidiary studios.
Xbox, which develops video-game hardware and software, has faced pressure from Microsoft executives to improve profit margins since the $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard Inc, finalised in 2023. The tech giant often implements major organisational changes at the end of its fiscal year, which concludes on 30 June.
Live Events
Earlier this year, Microsoft laid off more than 300 employees as a part of its cost-cutting measures. "We continue to implement organisational changes necessary to best position the company for success in a dynamic marketplace,' a Microsoft spokesperson said, according to Bloomberg.
In May, Microsoft reduced its workforce by 3%, affecting around 6,000 employees across all levels, teams and geographies. This was the company's largest round of layoffs since it eliminated 10,000 roles in 2023. In January, Microsoft terminated a small number of employees, citing performance-based issues.
ALSO READ:
'They don't know what the...': Trump drops 'F bomb' as Iran-Israel ceasefire deal crumbles
Microsoft's layoffs coincide with its significant investments in artificial intelligence with the company recently announcing a $400 million investment in Switzerland to develop cloud-computing and AI infrastructure. In January, Microsoft committed $3 billion to develop AI infrastructure, including new data centres in India in the next two years.
'The investments in infrastructure and skilling we are announcing today reaffirm our commitment to making India AI-first,' Microsoft chairman and CEO Satya Nadella said earlier.
ALSO READ:
As World War III fears surge, Putin announces big move amid Israel-Iran conflict. Check details
Amazon layoffs in 2025
Earlier this month, Amazon CEO told employees that job cuts in the tech giant would continue as AI will reduce the company's corporate workforce over the next few years. "We will need fewer people doing some of the jobs that are being done today, and more people doing other types of jobs," Jassy wrote in an internal memo. "It's hard to know exactly where this nets out over time, but in the next few years, we expect that this will reduce our total corporate workforce as we get efficiency gains from using AI extensively across the company."
The company has already laid off more than 27,000 employees since 2022, including recent cuts to its devices and services units. These layoffs reflect a broader trend in the global tech industry. In early May, Google laid off around 200 employees, primarily in its global business unit in teams handling sales and partnerships. Similarly, Amazon reduced approximately 100 jobs in its devices and services unit in another round.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NDTV
39 minutes ago
- NDTV
"Cheaper, Accurate": Bill Gates Warns Against Artificial Intelligence's Advancement In Jobs
Artificial intelligence (AI) will free us to do better work, but the world may not be ready for how fast it's growing, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has said. "The question is, if it comes so fast that you don't have time to adjust to it," he said. In an interview with CNN 's Fareed Zakaria, Mr Gates spoke candidly about the rapid development of AI and its growing impact on jobs. He said he is surprised at how rapidly AI is advancing and is capable of completing many tasks once considered unique to humans, such as writing content, generating simple codes, or providing telesupport. For example, customer support centres are increasingly using AI chatbots. He said, "Mr Gates said tasks such as writing and simple coding are now being handled efficiently by AI tools. He mentioned that jobs like telesales and tele support are among the first to be affected as AI can perform these tasks more accurately and at a lower cost than humans. "That's an example of labour substitution," he said. "But on the other end, you have the most creative things humans do, like developing a new drug to treat tuberculosis, he added. "Having AI do that work is way cheaper and more accurate than humans. That's where labour substitution is already happening," added Mr Gates. When asked about the impact on young professionals, Mr Gates acknowledged that college graduates could face a tougher job market. He said, "When you improve productivity, you can free up these people to have smaller class sizes or have longer vacations or to help do more." AI has the potential to replace a large number of entry-level white-collar occupations in the upcoming years, according to several experts. As robotic technologies advance, even manual labour roles may be impacted. According to Mr Gates, robotic arms are not yet advanced, but once they are, they may have an effect on a greater number of people working there. His statement comes at a time when several companies are rapidly shifting to AI. Recently, Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, revealed that 30 per cent of the tech giant's code is now written by artificial intelligence.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
42 minutes ago
- Business Standard
India's refiners seek clarity on Russian oil buys after Trump post
India's oil refiners, a vital source of demand for Russian crude, are seeking clarification from the government in New Delhi as to whether their purchases will be affected by Donald Trump's latest social media post. On Wednesday, the US President said that he would impose a tariff rate of 25 per cent on India's exports to the US starting on Aug. 1 and warned of an extra penalty because of the country's continued energy purchases from Russia. 'Also, they have always bought a vast majority of their military equipment from Russia, and are Russia's largest buyer of ENERGY, along with China, at a time when everyone wants Russia to STOP THE KILLING IN UKRAINE,' Trump said. 'INDIA WILL THEREFORE BE PAYING A TARIFF OF 25 per cent, PLUS A PENALTY FOR THE ABOVE, STARTING ON AUGUST FIRST.' India emerged as the world's single biggest buyer of seaborne Russian crude i European Union countries following the invasion of Ukraine back in 2022. Three people familiar with the purchases of more than 1 million barrels a day of Russian crude by Indian firms said they've sought clarity on what Trump's posts mean for their buying. India bought about 1.63 million barrels a day of Russian crude last year, a figure that's held up largely unchanged so far in 2025, ship-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg show. That's more cargo than any other nation and represents roughly half of Moscow's crude shipments. The EU has also amped up the pressure by stating that it will ban the imports of diesel made from Russian crude at refineries anywhere in the world, something that India has bristled at. India's refiners are waiting for a response from oil ministry about flows that are due to arrive in India after the Aug. 1 cutoff, the people said, asking not to be identified because of the sensitivity of the matter. India's oil ministry declined comment. The processors believe that they can easily find alternative supply if they're told to stop dealing with Russia, but their import costs would spike in such a scenario, the people said. Any cut in Russian barrels would hit state-owned refiners' profits, Prashant Vasisht, senior vice president at ratings agency ICRA said. A $10 per barrel increase in crude oil prices — sustained over a period of a year — would raise their oil import bill by about $13 billion to14 billion, he added.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Microsoft reveals 40 jobs AI is coming for, and 40 it can't touch yet - is yours on the list?
Microsoft Study Reveals 40 Jobs Most Affected by AI Chatbots—and Which Careers Remain Safe- A groundbreaking Microsoft study has sparked global conversation about the future of jobs and how AI chatbots like Copilot are already transforming the modern workplace. By analyzing over 200,000 real-world Copilot interactions across various industries in the U.S., researchers have identified the top 40 jobs most impacted by generative AI—and those where chatbot technology is barely useful. The insights are both eye-opening and timely, especially as more companies integrate AI tools into daily workflows. Microsoft identifies jobs with high overlap with AI chatbot capabilities The Microsoft research team focused on understanding how generative AI—like Copilot and ChatGPT—is being used across different job roles. Instead of predicting job loss or automation, the study measured something called 'AI applicability' : how often workers use chatbots, how successful those interactions are, and whether the technology helps accomplish real work tasks. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category PGDM Project Management others Digital Marketing Finance Design Thinking Management Healthcare Degree Data Analytics MBA Public Policy healthcare Data Science Operations Management Leadership Technology Data Science Cybersecurity CXO Product Management Others Skills you'll gain: Financial Analysis & Decision Making Quantitative & Analytical Skills Organizational Management & Leadership Innovation & Entrepreneurship Duration: 24 Months IMI Delhi Post Graduate Diploma in Management (Online) Starts on Sep 1, 2024 Get Details In simple terms, the report maps out how closely AI tools currently align with the core duties of specific professions. The more aligned a job's tasks are with AI, the higher its 'AI overlap' score. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Knee pain prices might surprise you Knee pain | search ads Find Now Undo Jobs with the highest AI overlap include writers, translators, and customer support Here are the top 10 jobs that showed the strongest overlap with chatbot technology, according to Microsoft's Copilot usage data: Interpreters and translators Historians Passenger attendants Sales representatives (services) Writers and authors Customer service representatives CNC tool programmers Telephone operators Ticket agents and travel clerks Broadcast announcers and radio DJs These roles often involve repetitive communication, content generation, summarizing information, answering questions, or pulling data—all areas where AI chatbots already perform exceptionally well. Live Events Other jobs on the broader list of 40 include news reporters, editors, proofreaders, public relations specialists, and technical writers, all of which heavily rely on written communication and knowledge work—two domains where tools like Microsoft Copilot and ChatGPT excel. Manual labor and people-centered jobs show the least AI impact While AI is transforming white-collar jobs, it has little to no relevance in tasks that require physical presence, manual labor, or emotional care. The study also highlighted the 40 jobs with lowest overlap with AI, meaning chatbot tools currently offer almost no support or automation in these roles. Here are some of the least affected jobs: Dredge operators Bridge and lock tenders Maids and housekeeping cleaners Roofers, concrete finishers, and floor sanders Massage therapists and phlebotomists Dishwashers and highway maintenance workers Licensed nursing assistants and medical technicians These careers require hands-on skills, human judgment, or direct care, making them far less likely to be disrupted by language-based AI models. Microsoft emphasizes AI is a tool, not a job killer—for now Importantly, Microsoft was clear: no occupation is currently performed entirely by AI. Even in high-overlap jobs like translation or writing, human professionals remain essential. AI tools like Copilot are being used to augment productivity, not replace workers. The company also noted that this study focused solely on text-based generative AI, not robotics or automation, which means future disruption in physical roles could still occur if robotics technology advances. This nuance is important because it shows that while AI is rapidly becoming a workplace assistant, full automation of entire careers is still far off. 40 Jobs Most Impacted by AI These roles involve language, writing, research, communication, or repetitive digital tasks—prime targets for tools like ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot. Interpreters and Translators Historians Social Science Research Assistants Sociologists Political Scientists Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators Public Relations Specialists Editors Clinical Data Managers Reporters and Journalists Technical Writers Copy Writers Proofreaders and Copy Markers Correspondence Clerks Court Reporters Writers and Authors Postsecondary Teachers (Communications, English, History) Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Credit Counselors Tax Preparers Paralegals and Legal Assistants Legal Secretaries Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists Market Research Analysts Management Analysts Fundraisers Human Resources Specialists Customer Service Representatives Sales Representatives (Services) Insurance Underwriters Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators Loan Officers Financial Examiners Budget Analysts Training and Development Specialists Computer Systems Analysts Data Scientists Database Architects Travel Agents 40 Jobs Least Impacted by AI These jobs typically require physical presence, manual labor, dexterity, or nuanced real-time decision-making. Dredge Operators Bridge and Lock Tenders Pump Operators Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators Power Distributors and Dispatchers Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators Waste Treatment Plant Operators Crushing, Grinding Machine Operators Roofers Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers Logging Equipment Operators Mine Cutting Machine Operators Continuous Mining Machine Operators Construction Laborers Terrazzo Workers Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers Pipelayers Hazardous Materials Removal Workers Septic Tank Servicers Tire Builders Fence Erectors Derrick Operators (Oil & Gas) Roustabouts (Oil & Gas) Furnace, Kiln, Oven Operators Insulation Workers Structural Iron and Steel Workers Hazardous Waste Technicians Phlebotomists Embalmers Massage Therapists Physical Therapist Aides Firefighting Supervisors Construction Supervisors Excavating Operators Drilling and Boring Machine Operators Hoist and Winch Operators Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Dishwashers Janitors and Cleaners Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners Experts say the data may not tell the whole story Some experts have raised concerns that the study might oversimplify complex roles. For instance, while historians ranked high in AI overlap due to content research and summarization, critics argue that historical analysis requires deep contextual understanding and critical thinking that AI cannot replicate. Similarly, cybersecurity professionals have pushed back on the inclusion of tech roles, stating that real-world security decisions involve risk assessment, nuance, and ethical judgment that go far beyond chatbot capabilities. Why this study matters for your career This Microsoft AI study is a wake-up call for professionals in nearly every field. Whether you're a writer, analyst, salesperson, or software programmer, you should be asking: How can I use AI to support my work, not compete with it? For those in highly affected industries, learning how to use AI as a co-pilot rather than a competitor will be crucial. This includes skills like: Writing better prompts Understanding AI limitations Verifying AI-generated outputs Using AI to automate low-value tasks while focusing on strategic work Meanwhile, for workers in manual or people-facing roles, the AI wave may not yet affect daily duties—but staying informed is still key as future tools expand into new areas. Adaptation is the new job security The core message from Microsoft's findings is clear: AI isn't replacing humans—it's changing how we work. Understanding where and how these changes are happening can help workers prepare, adapt, and thrive. Whether you're in a role that shows high chatbot overlap or not, the best thing you can do is stay ahead by building AI literacy, seeking continuous learning, and staying curious about the future of your industry. FAQs: Q1. Which jobs are most affected by Microsoft's AI study? Writers, translators, and customer service roles are most impacted by Copilot AI use. Q2. What kind of jobs are safe from AI chatbots? Manual labor and hands-on care jobs like housekeeping and roofing are least affected by AI.
