Microsoft cuts 4,800 jobs, about 2% globally, revamps salesforce and launches massive Xbox overhaul

Microsoft is cutting 4,800 jobs, or about 2% of its global workforce, reshaping its sales organization and launching a sweeping Xbox overhaul. The cuts include about 600 jobs in Washington state, though ongoing hiring is expected to keep the company's local workforce stable at around 52,000. Executives said the layoffs were minimized by redeploying more than 4,000 employees into new roles and offering a voluntary retirement program. This comes amid record AI infrastructure spending and a 30% stock slide.