Microsoft introduces voluntary departure program

Microsoft announced on Monday, October 26, 2026, a limited-time voluntary departure program for certain employees. The initiative, shared with media outlet CRN, could affect up to 60,000 employees, or about 27 percent of Microsoft’s full-time workforce as of June 30, 2026.

Eligibility and scope of the program

The program applies to employees at internal level 70 and below in specific teams across the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and India. Not all employees in these countries are eligible, and Microsoft has not specified how many will ultimately leave. The company emphasizes that eligibility does not mean employees must leave.

Support and company rationale

According to Amy Coleman, Microsoft’s Executive Vice President and Head of Human Resources, eligible employees may receive financial support and career planning assistance. Microsoft states the program aims to provide employees with choices while aligning with the company’s evolving needs. It denies using the term “buyout” and clarifies that no financial incentives are offered for leaving.

Bill Gates discusses AI's future in podcast interview

Four days before Microsoft’s announcement, Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft, discussed artificial intelligence in an interview with the Decoder podcast. In the episode reported by People, Gates predicted a 20-year period of instability as AI reshapes industries and employment patterns.

Gates outlines AI's potential and challenges

Gates described a future where AI could transform fields like law, medicine, and education, and where humanoid robots might eventually handle physical labor such as construction, farming, and surgery. He acknowledged uncertainty about the timeline for these changes and urged governments to create stricter safety regulations for advanced AI, arguing that companies alone cannot ensure their safe development.

Gates on the role of humans in an automated world

Gates suggested that not all human activities need to be automated, citing examples like child care, cooking, sports, and art as areas where human involvement could remain valuable. He compared this selective use of technology to the practices of Amish communities but emphasized that it does not mean rejecting modern life. Gates believes humans will still find meaning in helping each other and creating original works, even as automation advances.