The Paid Exit

Microsoft offered voluntary exits to about 60,000 staff, roughly a quarter of its workforce, while it spends 175 billion dollars this year on AI infrastructure. Voluntary is a kinder word than laid off, but the direction is clear: the company building the AI future is asking a quarter of its people to consider leaving it. Sources: Microsoft offers to buy out a quarter of its workforce (Ars Technica): https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2026/10/microsoft-offers-voluntary-buyouts-to-60000-employees/ Microsoft offers buyouts to 60,000 staff (Financial Times): https://www.ft.com/content/2ef29406-f2f8-413f-81f6-5ae098c97569 That's your SignalWatch, from Ashfires Press.