Microsoft Layoffs: Firm Fires Nearly 1,500 Employees From Different Departments

Microsoft Layoffs: Microsoft has since made significant moves following CEO Satya Nadella's announcement about altering the hardware portfolio; these include acquiring Activision-Blizzard

Microsoft Layoffs: Microsoft is reportedly set to lay off approximately 1,500 employees, with teams like the mixed reality division behind HoloLens 2 bearing the brunt. These layoffs, which follow a previous round in which Microsoft parted ways with over 10,000 employees, signal ongoing restructuring within the company. The reduction in the Azure for Operators and Mission Engineering teams will also see substantial reductions, affecting hundreds. 

"Organizational and workforce adjustments are a necessary and regular part of managing our business. We will continue to prioritise and invest in strategic growth areas for our future and in support of our customers and partners," a Microsoft spokesperson told the news agency Reuters.

Microsoft has since made significant moves following CEO Satya Nadella's announcement about altering the hardware portfolio. These include acquiring Activision-Blizzard, investing in artificial intelligence, and introducing new Surface devices powered by Qualcomm chips.

Even amid the layoffs, Microsoft reaffirmed its dedication to existing initiatives such as the Department of Defense’s IVAS program and the ongoing sales of HoloLens 2. The company emphasised its commitment in a statement to CNBC: "We remain fully committed to the Department of Defense’s IVAS program and will continue to deliver cutting-edge technology to support our soldiers.”

According to Business Insider, Azure for Operations and Mission Engineering belongs to Strategic Missions and Technologies, established in 2021, focusing on quantum computing and space endeavours. Meanwhile, Microsoft has initiated a restructuring of its mixed reality division. Still, it intends to continue marketing its augmented reality headset, the HoloLens 2, as confirmed by a company spokesperson to Reuters on Monday.

Microsoft's Azure cloud platform is experiencing robust expansion propelled by the company's substantial investments in artificial intelligence (AI). This growth is further fueled by Microsoft's strategic partnership with OpenAI, the creators of ChatGPT, which grants them access to coveted cutting-edge technologies.

Additionally, Business Insider stated in 2022 that Microsoft abandoned its plans for HoloLens 3.