Microsoft Stock Hits Record High Amid AI-Driven Workforce Restructuring

Microsoft's shares reached an all-time high of $480.24 on Wednesday, even as the company prepares for significant job cuts targeting thousands of positions, particularly in sales. This paradoxical surge reflects Wall Street's approval of the tech giant's strategic pivot toward artificial intelligence, with its stock up 14% year-to-date.

The impending layoffs—expected to be announced next month—follow a previous 3% reduction in global workforce last month. Microsoft's 228,000 employees now face an industry-wide reckoning as tech firms reallocate resources from human capital to machine intelligence. The move mirrors similar cost-cutting measures at Google and Amazon, underscoring a sector-wide prioritization of AI infrastructure over traditional employment structures.