Microsoft's HR Chief Addresses AI Amid 5,000 Job Cuts
WHO:
Inc - Microsoft, Xbox, Asha Sharma (Xbox CEO), Amy Coleman (Microsoft EVP and chief people officer)
Fast Company - Cara Greene (partner at workers’ rights law firm Outten & Golden LLP)
WHAT:
Fast Company - Xbox CEO Asha Sharma stated that the layoffs include an additional 1,600 cuts today, which are part of the total 4,800 roles being eliminated.
Fast Company - A source familiar with Xbox indicated that the company will lay off 20% of its workforce over the fiscal year.
Fast Company - Xbox is selling off four of its game studios to operate independently.
Fast Company - Bethesda Game Studios announced that “many” of its development team were impacted by the layoffs, with over 10,000 developers already cut from previous rounds.
Fast Company - Xbox CEO Asha Sharma stated that the layoffs represent “the most significant restructuring in Xbox history.”
Fast Company - Sharma announced the reduction of approximately 3,200 roles by the end of the financial year in July 2027.
Fast Company - Xbox will lay off 20% of its workforce over the fiscal year.
Fast Company - Microsoft eliminated 6,000 roles in May and an additional 9,000 in July the previous year.
Fast Company - Xbox is selling off four of its game studios to operate independently.
Fast Company - A source familiar with Xbox mentioned that the restructuring is “not about AI automation.”
Fast Company - Amy Coleman mentioned that the changes are necessary due to broader industry shifts and the need to adjust resources and roles.
Fast Company - Amy Coleman indicated that broader industry changes necessitated adjustments in resources and roles.
Fast Company - Coleman stated, “Our business is changing because the world around it is changing.”
Fast Company - A source familiar with Xbox mentioned that the restructuring is “not about AI automation.”
Fast Company - Xbox CEO Asha Sharma stated that the layoffs include an additional 1,600 cuts today, which are part of the total 4,800 roles being eliminated.
Fast Company - A source familiar with Xbox indicated that the company will lay off 20% of its workforce over the fiscal year.
Fast Company - Xbox is selling off four of its game studios to operate independently.
Fast Company - Bethesda Game Studios announced that “many” of its development team were impacted by the layoffs, with over 10,000 developers already cut from previous rounds.
Fast Company - Xbox CEO Asha Sharma stated that the layoffs represent “the most significant restructuring in Xbox history.”
Fast Company - Sharma announced the reduction of approximately 3,200 roles by the end of the financial year in July 2027.
Fast Company - Xbox will lay off 20% of its workforce over the fiscal year.
Fast Company - Microsoft eliminated 6,000 roles in May and an additional 9,000 in July the previous year.
Fast Company - Xbox is selling off four of its game studios to operate independently.
Fast Company - Xbox CEO Asha Sharma stated that the layoffs include an additional 1,600 cuts today, which are part of the total 4,800 roles being eliminated.
Fast Company - A source familiar with Xbox indicated that the company will lay off 20% of its workforce over the fiscal year.
Fast Company - Xbox is selling off four of its game studios to operate independently.
Fast Company - Bethesda Game Studios announced that “many” of its development team were impacted by the layoffs, with over 10,000 developers already cut from previous rounds.
Inc - Microsoft is cutting 4,800 roles, with 1,600 impacting its Xbox division.
Fast Company - Xbox CEO Asha Sharma stated that the layoffs represent “the most significant restructuring in Xbox history.”
Fast Company - Sharma announced the reduction of approximately 3,200 roles by the end of the financial year in July 2027.
Fast Company - Xbox will lay off 20% of its workforce over the fiscal year.
Fast Company - Microsoft eliminated 6,000 roles in May and an additional 9,000 in July the previous year.
Fast Company - Xbox is selling off four of its game studios to operate independently.
WHERE:
Fast Company - The layoffs primarily affect Microsoft’s Commercial and Xbox organizations.
WHEN:
Fast Company - The layoffs are set to occur by the end of the financial year in July 2027.
WHY:
Fast Company - Amy Coleman mentioned that the changes are necessary due to broader industry shifts and the need to adjust resources and roles.
Fast Company - Amy Coleman indicated that broader industry changes necessitated adjustments in resources and roles.
Fast Company - Coleman stated, “Our business is changing because the world around it is changing.”
Fast Company - A source familiar with Xbox mentioned that the restructuring is “not about AI automation.”
Fast Company - Amy Coleman mentioned that the changes are necessary due to broader industry shifts and the need to adjust resources and roles.
Fast Company - Amy Coleman indicated that broader industry changes necessitated adjustments in resources and roles.
Fast Company - Coleman stated, “Our business is changing because the world around it is changing.”
Fast Company - A source familiar with Xbox mentioned that the restructuring is “not about AI automation.”
HOW:
Fast Company - Xbox will implement a “flatter organization” with management layers reduced to no more than five, and where possible, three.
Fast Company - Sharma outlined plans to streamline operations with a cleaner code base, shared services, and a 50% reduction in vendor spend.
Fast Company - Xbox will implement a “flatter organization” with management layers reduced to no more than five, and where possible, three.
Fast Company - Xbox will implement a “flatter organization” with management layers reduced to no more than five, and where possible, three.
Fast Company - Sharma outlined plans to streamline operations with a cleaner code base, shared services, and a 50% reduction in vendor spend.
Fast Company - Xbox will implement a “flatter organization” with management layers reduced to no more than five, and where possible, three.
Fast Company - Xbox will implement a “flatter organization” with management layers reduced to no more than five, and where possible, three.
Fast Company - Sharma outlined plans to streamline operations with a cleaner code base, shared services, and a 50% reduction in vendor spend.
(UPDATED July 7, 2026 17:42 UTC)
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma announced that the company is undergoing its most significant restructuring in history, which includes laying off an additional 1,600 employees as part of a total of 4,800 roles being eliminated. As part of this restructuring, Xbox will also sell off four of its game studios to operate independently and aims to reduce its workforce by 20% over the fiscal year, with approximately 3,200 roles expected to be cut by July 2027. Sharma emphasized the need for these changes due to broader industry shifts, stating, “Our business is changing because the world around it is changing,” and detailed plans for a flatter organization with fewer management layers.
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(UPDATED July 7, 2026 06:20 UTC)
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma announced that the company will lay off an additional 1,600 employees as part of a total of 4,800 roles being eliminated, marking what she described as “the most significant restructuring in Xbox history.” This restructuring will see Xbox reduce its workforce by 20% over the fiscal year, with plans to implement a “flatter organization” featuring fewer management layers and a streamlined approach to operations. Additionally, Xbox is selling off four of its game studios to operate independently, a move that reflects the broader industry shifts and the need for adjustments in resources and roles.
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(UPDATED July 7, 2026 01:35 UTC)
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma announced that the company is laying off an additional 1,600 employees as part of a larger plan to eliminate a total of 4,800 roles, which represents 20% of its workforce over the fiscal year. In a move to streamline operations, Xbox is also selling off four of its game studios to operate independently, while Bethesda Game Studios confirmed that many of its development team members were affected by these layoffs, adding to the over 10,000 developers already cut in previous rounds. To adapt to broader industry shifts, Xbox will implement a flatter organizational structure, reducing management layers to no more than five, and where possible, to three.
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(UPDATED July 6, 2026 23:23 UTC)
Microsoft is set to cut 4,800 roles, with 1,600 of those affecting its Xbox division, marking what Xbox CEO Asha Sharma describes as “the most significant restructuring in Xbox history.” By the end of the financial year in July 2027, Xbox plans to reduce approximately 3,200 roles and lay off 20% of its workforce, while also selling off four of its game studios to operate independently. Amy Coleman, Microsoft's chief people officer, explained that these changes are necessary due to broader industry shifts, emphasizing that the restructuring is not about AI automation but rather about creating a more streamlined organization with fewer management layers.