Microsoft plans first voluntary employee buyout, CNBC reports

Microsoft Corp. is planning its first voluntary employee buyout in the Windows maker’s 51-year history, CNBC reported on Thursday, citing a memo.

Like other U.S. tech giants, Microsoft has been spending aggressively on artificial intelligence. But adoption of one of its flagship AI services, the 365 Copilot, has reached just slightly over 3% of its total 450 million 365 customers.

The one-time retirement program will be open to U.S. workers at the senior director level and below, whose years of employment and age add up to 70 years or more, CNBC reported.

“Our hope is that this program gives those eligible the choice to take that next step on their own terms, with generous company support,” Amy Coleman, Microsoft’s executive vice president and chief people officer, wrote in the memo viewed by CNBC.