U.S. technology giant Microsoft said on Monday it is eliminating about 4,800 positions worldwide, or around 2.1 percent of its global workforce, as part of its latest restructuring efforts.
The company confirmed the job cuts in an internal message to employees, saying the move comes as the business adapts to rapid changes in the technology industry and seeks to streamline operations.
The layoffs will primarily affect its commercial sales division and Xbox gaming business, the company added.
Amy Coleman, Microsoft's executive vice president and chief people officer, said in a message to employees that the company's business is changing amid the rapid evolution of technology and customer demand, and the organization must adapt accordingly. She stressed that the layoffs are not a direct result of artificial intelligence (AI) replacing workers.
Microsoft said it will provide severance packages, healthcare benefits and career transition assistance to affected employees. The company also noted that a voluntary retirement program introduced earlier this year helped reduce the scale of the layoffs.
The latest workforce reduction comes as major technology companies continue to invest heavily in AI while seeking to control costs and improve efficiency. According to its annual report, Microsoft had about 228,000 full-time employees worldwide as of June 2025.
Microsoft to cut about 4,800 jobs globally
Artificial intelligence is developing faster than governments and institutions across the world can respond, highlighting the need for a global platform to address emerging challenges, Rein Tammsaar, co-chair of the United Nations Global Dialogue on Artificial Intelligence Governance, said on Monday.
Speaking in a media briefing session on the sidelines of the two-day UN Global Dialogue on AI that opened on Monday, Tammsaar, who is also the permanent representative of Estonia to the UN, said the dialogue would serve as an opportunity to further build international consensus and lay a solid foundation for improving AI global governance under the UN framework.
"It is true that the AI development is happening quicker than anyone can react to this. And we see it around the world, frankly. We're able here to start something, meaningful discussion, on a global level, create a platform and to address few issues," said Tammsaar.
Attendees of the dialogue believe that AI is both an important engine for promoting economic and social development, and requires the establishment of corresponding international rules to seek a balance between encouraging innovation and preventing risks.
In addition to focusing on AI security governance, the dialogue also emphasized discussions on capacity building in developing countries, digital infrastructure and technology sharing. Many developing countries expressed their welcome and appreciation for China's AI open-source initiatives, hoping that more countries can share in the benefits of AI development.
Chinese scientists with UN's Independent International Scientific Panel on AI spoke on relevant topics, and gave an overall presentation on China's achievements in AI development, governance experience and international contributions.
Global AI dialogue aims to keep pace with rapid technological changes: UN official
