More than 90,000 tech workers have been laid off this year. But here’s why companies like Microsoft are offering voluntary buyouts instead

Meta cuts 10% of workforce (~8,000 employees) to improve efficiency and offset AI spending, while leaving 6,000 roles unfilled. Microsoft announces its first voluntary buyout program, targeting 7% of U.S. employees (~8,500 workers) with combined age and tenure ≥70. Both moves reflect industry trend toward buyouts over traditional layoffs amid cost pressures tied to AI investments.