Business

Intel to Lay Off 24,000 Employees in 2025 Amid Strategic Shift


In a significant move that underscores the turbulent state of the global semiconductor and tech job market, Intel Corporation has announced plans to lay off 24,000 employees in 2025.

The job cuts โ€” nearly 13% of Intel’s global workforce โ€” are part of the companyโ€™s broader restructuring plan aimed at improving operational efficiency and realigning priorities in a rapidly shifting tech landscape.

Sources close to the development suggest that the layoffs will span across departments, including hardware, support, and R&D, with certain roles impacted more heavily in the U.S., Europe, and Asia.

Why Itโ€™s Happening:

Intel has been facing mounting competition from AMD, NVIDIA, and Appleโ€™s in-house chip developments. Despite aggressive investments in AI and next-gen fabrication facilities, the companyโ€™s profit margins have shrunk, prompting this large-scale cost-cutting initiative.

โ€œThis is one of the hardest decisions weโ€™ve had to make,โ€ an internal memo from Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger reportedly read. โ€œBut itโ€™s necessary to ensure long-term sustainability and innovation.โ€

Intel has indicated that the resources saved will be redirected toward:

  • Advanced chip design & AI computing
  • Expansion of U.S. fab construction (Ohio, Arizona)
  • Strategic acquisitions and R&D in high-growth areas

The layoffs are expected to roll out in phases throughout 2025, with severance packages, reskilling opportunities, and job placement support being extended to affected employees.

Business

Microsoft to Lay Off 9,100 Employees in Strategic Workforce Reduction


In a significant workforce shakeup, Microsoft is laying off approximately 9,100 employees โ€” around 4% of its total global workforce. The decision comes as the tech giant continues to adjust its business strategy amid economic headwinds and a shift in focus toward emerging technologies like AI and cloud services.

While specific departments affected have not been disclosed, sources suggest that the layoffs span multiple divisions, including engineering, marketing, and customer support. Microsoft emphasized that the layoffs are a proactive step to streamline operations and ensure long-term competitiveness in a rapidly evolving tech landscape.

The company, which employs over 221,000 people worldwide, has been undergoing strategic shifts to align with a future increasingly driven by AI, automation, and digital infrastructure. These layoffs follow similar workforce reductions across the tech industry, with other major firms also trimming headcount to navigate slower growth and rising operational costs.

Microsoft reiterated its commitment to supporting impacted employees with severance packages, job placement services, and counseling resources.

This marks one of the largest layoffs by Microsoft in recent years and underscores the broader trend of tech companies tightening their belts while doubling down on innovation.