Latest news with #non-AI
Time of India
13-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Microsoft announces second-biggest job cuts in its history: We continue to …
Microsoft has announced that it will lay off 3% of its global workforce, affecting thousands of employees across all levels, teams, and geographies, amounting to about 7,000 employees. The cuts at the Redmond giant, which employed 228,000 people as of last June, aim to reduce management layers and streamline operations. "We continue to implement organizational changes necessary to best position the company for success in a dynamic marketplace," a Microsoft spokesperson told CNBC in a statement. This represents Microsoft's largest reduction since eliminating 10,000 roles in 2023. Unlike January's smaller performance-based cuts, the company indicated these layoffs are structural in nature. These cuts may particularly impact middle management roles, as the company seeks to create a more streamlined hierarchy by increasing each manager's "span of control." Microsoft, as reported by Business Insider previously, aims to prioritize engineering talent as it continues investing heavily in artificial intelligence initiatives. Microsoft has introduced new rehire ban and performance management overhaul The workforce reduction comes amid significant changes to Microsoft's performance management system. According to internal documents viewed by Business Insider, the company has implemented a two-year rehire ban for employees forced out due to performance issues. Microsoft has also introduced a "good attrition" metric to track desirable employee departures. This approach mirrors Amazon's controversial "unregretted attrition" system and signals Microsoft's intent to more aggressively manage underperforming staff. Under the new system, employees facing performance issues must either enter a performance improvement plan (PIP) with "clear expectations and a timeline for improvement" or accept a "Global Voluntary Separation Agreement" with 16 weeks of severance pay. Those who choose the PIP path have just five days to decide and will no longer be eligible for the severance package if they opt for the improvement plan. Tech sector sees industry-wide efficiency push Microsoft's restructuring reflects a broader trend across the tech industry toward flatter organizational structures and higher engineering efficiency. The company is reportedly focusing on reducing its "PM ratio" — the proportion of managers to engineers — across teams. Similar strategies have been implemented at other tech giants, including Amazon and Google, where the top layer of the hierarchy were let go. Meta is also expected to let go off several thousand employees this year, as CEO Mark Zuckerberg pushes for a 'year of efficiency.' The layoffs follow Microsoft's better-than-expected quarterly results reported in April, when CEO Satya Nadella indicated the company would make sales execution changes after lower-than-expected growth in non-AI Azure cloud revenue. AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Business Insider
29-04-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
I tried ChatGPT's new shopping feature. It's efficient, just not built for picky shoppers like me.
OpenAI is jumping into the online shopping game. The company said on Monday it rolled out a new shopping feature for ChatGPT. Users can ask for product recommendations and receive results with images, reviews, and direct links. ChatGPT will provide a curated list of products based on what it remembers about users' preferences and what it pulls from online reviews, said Adam Fry, who leads ChatGPT's search product team, in a prelaunch demo for Wired. Users are then sent to the retailer's site to check out. The feature works across categories like fashion, electronics, and home goods. Unlike Google Shopping's sponsored links, the product listings shown in ChatGPT are not paid placements, Fry said. I tried out the new shopping feature to see if it could make shopping smarter and easier. It was helpful, but I missed a few parts of non-AI online shopping. Getting ChatGPT's techy recommendation As an audiophile, I love a good pair of headphones. I asked ChatGPT, "What are the best headphones under $500 USD?" The response was impressive — and a bit overwhelming. It broke down options into categories like best wireless noise-canceling headphones, best audiophile and studio headphones, and budget-friendly picks. It even gave me a handy "Top Picks Summary," which helped cut through the clutter. The Sony WH-1000XM5 clinched the "Best Overall" — a model I'd heard people rave about. But ChatGPT didn't list where I could buy them, so I followed up with, "Where can I buy them at the best price?" This time, ChatGPT served up live prices and retailer links in Singapore, where I live. ChatGPT also suggested a rival to the Sony XM5 — the Bose QuietComfort Ultra. I wanted to compare both in detail, so I asked: "What's the difference between the Sony WH-1000XM5 and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra?" ChatGPT came back with a side-by-side comparison that felt lifted from a high-end tech blog, covering everything from noise cancellation to fast-charging stats. One gripe, though: I had no idea where the information came from. It said Bose had "plush cushioning and lighter clamp force," while Sony offered "synthetic leather" and a lighter build. Those were objective details, but who decided Bose was more comfortable? What if I actually like the snug fit of Sony's headband? Buying a really personal item: running shoes Next, I put ChatGPT to the test with running shoes. For me, this was make-or-break. I'm obsessed with running shoes. I've gone too deep into the rabbit hole of reading shoe reviews, binge-watching YouTube breakdowns, and analyzing specs like a full-time job. I told ChatGPT I was looking for shoes for easy, short-distance runs under $200. My search yielded a solid list: Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 41, Brooks Ghost 16, Hoka Clifton 9, ASICS Gel-Nimbus 26, and New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v14. All great picks, but I was a little disappointed that my favourites, like the Adidas Ultraboost, didn't show up. When I refined my search and mentioned that I was a neutral pronator — my foot rolls naturally to absorb shock evenly — ChatGPT stuck to the same lineup with short, summarized notes about each shoe's strengths. I asked ChatGPT to break down the differences between the Brooks Ghost 16 and Hoka Clifton 9 since they were "Best Overall" and "Best Cushioning." The side-by-side comparison covered everything from cushioning and stability to ride feel. But one big thing was missing: visuals. As someone who cares a lot about how my shoes look — the sole design, the lacing, the vibe — I missed scrutinizing images beyond the four at the top. I don't blame ChatGPT for giving me a wordy review. But for something as personal as running shoes, I'd still rather scroll through a store's website and rummage through every photo and video. Google vs ChatGPT Google's shopping experience still feels a lot more fun. Although there are paid ads, there are also endless visuals — different colorways, angles, and even photos from real buyers showing off their pairs in the wild. Plus, I love seeing user reviews. They're raw, relatable, and sometimes way more helpful than expert reviews. ChatGPT wins in the heavy-lifting department. It provides detailed comparisons and spec breakdowns without making you dig through 10 different websites. It feels like an extension of what ChatGPT already does best — gathering info and summarizing it neatly. An AI built solely for shopping — or OpenAI's next version of this feature — might provide a better experience. I'm still an old-school shopper. I gather all possible sneaker info online, then head to the store to do a few laps. No review can tell me the best — for me — pair until it's on my feet.
