The Globe and Mail reports in its Tuesday, Oct. 27, edition that Microsoft is offering voluntary buyouts to about 60,000 employees, or more than one-quarter of its global work force, as it looks to contain costs and help fund its massive artificial intelligence investments. A Reuters dispatch to The Globe reports that employees would be eligible for the offers, including those working in AI experiences, Copilot, finance, human resources, Xbox and Windows + Devices. Units such as marketing, commercial business and security will be excluded. Microsoft is spending hundreds of billions of dollars on AI datacentres and chips, drawing scrutiny from investors over whether the returns will justify the staggering cost. Microsoft has forecast $175-billion in capital spending for 2026. Microsoft had 223,000 full-time employees globally as of June 30. Microsoft earlier this year offered voluntary buyouts to about 7 per cent of its United States work force, or about 9,000 employees. In July, Microsoft announced it would cut 4,800 jobs, or about 2.1 per cent of its global work force, overhauling its Xbox gaming business and divesting up to five studios as it looks to boost returns after years of heavy investment in the division.