Passenger Buzz is what I’m hearing from the back seat. This week, riders coming from a Microsoft conference at the MGM all had the same topic on their minds.
What riders are talking about
On Monday, Oct. 26, Microsoft offered voluntary buyouts to about 60,000 employees, roughly a quarter of its workforce, according to KUOW and other outlets. The offer covers select employees in the U.S., U.K., Canada and India, and a company spokesperson said the package is comparable to its standard severance. Earlier this year Microsoft also offered a voluntary early-retirement program to long-tenured U.S. staff.
Passenger after passenger told me they were shocked and surprised. Some heard about it while they were at the conference.
My take from the driver’s seat
Honestly, I’m not that surprised. AI is changing the tech workforce fast, and companies are reshaping their teams around it. To be fair, a Microsoft spokesperson said AI is not what’s driving these buyouts, but the company has been cutting staff for several years while spending billions on AI infrastructure. Either way, it’s a big moment, and the people living it are riding in my back seat in Vegas.
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