Latest news with #deQueiroz
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Microsoft layoffs: My husband worked 25 years, rarely took leave, but was laid off by algorithm, says wife in viral post
Microsoft has laid off about 6,000 employees, or roughly 3% of its global workforce, as part of its efforts to streamline operations and accelerate its artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives. The company confirmed the layoffs on Tuesday, May 13, describing them as a move to 'remove unnecessary layers of management' while investing in AI. Job cuts affect multiple teams globally This is Microsoft's second-largest job reduction in history. The layoffs span various departments, geographies, and levels. Software engineers accounted for a significant portion, with over 2,000 roles eliminated in Washington state alone, according to Bloomberg. The company said the restructuring aims to automate routine tasks and allow employees to focus on high-value work. Personal stories emerge from laid-off employees Among those affected was a Microsoft employee with 25 years of service. According to a post by his wife on Reddit, he was laid off after being 'randomly selected by a computer algorithm' just days before his 48th birthday. She wrote, 'My husband has worked for Microsoft for 25 years. He was just laid off, randomly selected by a computer algorithm. His last day is this Friday, his 48th birthday.' She added that he is autistic and has multiple sclerosis but rarely took sick leave, worked long hours, and mentored colleagues. 'Never missed a day of work. Rarely called in sick (and would then work from home). Worked 60+ hours a week. Took on-call shifts during Christmas and Thanksgiving so coworkers with children could be home. He never asked for raises or promotions — he just kept showing up and solving impossible problems.' The post continued, 'I don't need pity. I just need someone to know what this world does to the people who give it everything — quietly, consistently, and without ever asking for more.' Live Events AI director's departure also draws attention Gabriela de Queiroz , Director of Artificial Intelligence for Microsoft for Startups, also confirmed her exit following the layoffs. She wrote on X, 'I was impacted by Microsoft's latest round of layoffs. Am I sad? Absolutely. I'm heartbroken to see so many talented people I've had the honor of working with being let go. These are people who cared deeply, went above and beyond, and truly made a difference.' Though she was asked to stop work and set an out-of-office message, she continued attending meetings and wrapping up her tasks. 'I chose to stay a little longer—showing up for meetings, saying goodbye, wrapping up what I could. That felt right to me,' she added. Despite the irony of her role being cut during Microsoft's increased AI investment, de Queiroz remained optimistic. 'But if you know me, you know I always look at the bright side. I'm an optimist at heart. That hasn't changed. My smile, my gratitude, my belief that each day is a gift — that's all still here,' she wrote. Criticism over algorithmic layoffs and company approach The layoffs triggered criticism on social media, with some users questioning Microsoft's reliance on automated layoff tools. One user said, 'This is why no one should be loyal to an employer,' while another commented, 'It would be interesting to know how many of the people chosen by this algorithm are over forty and/or have expensive health problems.' A third added, 'I wouldn't expect anything different from a company like Microsoft.' Company says layoffs aim to boost AI readiness Microsoft explained that the layoffs support its transition toward greater AI integration across its products and services. In April, CEO Satya Nadella revealed that AI now writes up to 30% of code in certain projects. A vice president also urged teams to increase AI-generated code from 20-30% to 50%, shortly before more than a dozen engineers were let go. De Queiroz addressed others impacted, saying, 'To those also affected—you're not alone. We are at least 6,000.'
Time of India
18-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Microsoft's fired AI director to 6,000 laid off employees along with her: "These are people who…"
Microsoft layoffs 2025 hit 6,000 employees worldwide, including AI Director Gabriela de Queiroz. As the tech giant pushes deeper into artificial intelligence, industry experts question the decision. Find out why even AI leaders weren't safe from Microsoft's sudden cuts. Microsoft announced last week that it is laying off approximately 6,000 employees, nearly 3% of its global workforce—in what marks the company's second-largest job reduction in its history. Among those affected was Gabriela de Queiroz , Director of Artificial Intelligence for Microsoft for Startups , who shared the "bittersweet news" of her departure on social media. — gdequeiroz (@gdequeiroz) "I was impacted by Microsoft's latest round of layoffs. Am I sad? Absolutely. I'm heartbroken to see so many talented people I've had the honor of working with being let go. These are people who cared deeply, went above and beyond, and truly made a difference," de Queiroz wrote on X, formerly Twitter, alongside a picture of herself smiling. The layoffs come as Microsoft aggressively pushes into artificial intelligence, with CEO Satya Nadella revealing in April that AI now writes up to 30% of code in some Microsoft projects. Software engineers bore the brunt of the cuts, representing over 40% of the approximately 2,000 positions eliminated in Washington state alone, according to Bloomberg analysis. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Switch to UnionBank Rewards Card UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now To those also affected—you're not alone, we're at least 6,000, says Microsoft's fired AI director Despite being asked to stop work immediately and set an out-of-office message, de Queiroz chose to stay longer. "I chose to stay a little longer—showing up for meetings, saying goodbye, wrapping up what I could. That felt right to me," she explained in her social media posts. The irony of laying off an AI director while the company invests heavily in AI technology wasn't lost on industry observers. One Microsoft vice president recently told his team to use AI chatbots to generate half their computer code, up from the current 20-30%, before more than a dozen engineers on his team were subsequently laid off. "But if you know me, you know I always look at the bright side. I'm an optimist at heart. That hasn't changed. My smile, my gratitude, my belief that each day is a gift—that's all still here," de Queiroz wrote, maintaining her positive outlook despite the circumstances. The cuts affect all levels, teams, and geographies as Microsoft streamlines operations and reduces management layers. "What's next? I don't know yet. It's too soon to say. But I trust that something good will come out of this," de Queiroz concluded, addressing fellow affected employees: "To those also affected—you're not alone. We are at least 6,000." AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
