Microsoft Cuts Dozens of Jobs at Israeli R&D Center Amid Global Restructuring
Translated & summarized from Ice by baba
Microsoft is cutting dozens of jobs at its Israeli R&D center as part of a global restructuring, impacting the Copilot Studio group. Employees were notified on Monday, with some facing termination and others potentially moving to new roles within the company. The changes are part of a broader global review, and Microsoft employs around 3,000 R&D staff in Israel. The company cited evolving needs and challenges for the difficult decisions impacting employees.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Microsoft is laying off dozens of employees at its Israeli R&D center.
- The job cuts are part of a global organizational restructuring affecting specific teams.
- The affected group in Israel is Copilot Studio, which develops AI agents.
- Around 50 employees were called for pre-termination hearings, with about half expected to remain.
- Most affected employees are reportedly being offered other roles within Microsoft.
- The changes coincide with a leadership transition at the Israeli R&D center.
Microsoft is laying off dozens of employees at its research and development center in Israel as part of a global organizational restructuring affecting specific teams within the company. Employees in the affected Copilot Studio group received notifications on Monday. While some will be terminated, others may be integrated into different roles within the tech giant. Reports suggest around 50 employees were called for pre-termination hearings, with approximately half expected to remain at the development center. However, most employees in the Copilot Studio group are reportedly being offered opportunities to transfer to other positions within Microsoft. Copilot Studio is a platform that enables organizations to develop and deploy AI agents capable of automating tasks and managing business processes.
The changes in Israel are part of a broader review of Microsoft's global organizational structure and operations. The company has not yet announced a comprehensive global layoff plan, leaving the full extent of worldwide changes outside the Israeli group unclear. Microsoft employs approximately 3,000 R&D staff across six sites in Israel, including its largest campus in Herzliya and facilities in Tel Aviv, Haifa, Nazareth, Beersheba, and Jerusalem.
These developments coincide with a leadership transition at the Israeli R&D center. Oded Yassin is set to become the new CEO in early November, succeeding the outgoing CEO of the Israeli R&D center, who is leaving the company. A Microsoft spokesperson stated, "We continue to evaluate our business and organizational structure to adapt to changing needs and challenges. This process includes team structure changes and, in some cases, difficult decisions that directly impact employees. We are aware of the personal significance of these changes and will do everything possible to support affected employees with sensitivity, respect, and assistance."
