Microsoft has announced layoffs in its Azure cloud business, primarily affecting teams including Azure for Operators and Mission Engineering. The affected teams are part of the Strategic Missions and Technologies organization, which was established in 2021 to house Microsoft's cutting-edge initiatives such as quantum computing, space, and its government cloud business.

The layoffs are a departure from Microsoft's typical annual workforce adjustments and suggest that the company may be rethinking its priorities and adjusting its workforce to better align with changing market conditions.

Why does it matter?

The move is part of a broader trend at Microsoft, which has seen layoffs become more frequent following its plan to cut 10,000 jobs last year. The layoffs are significant, with estimates suggesting that the Azure for Operators team could be impacted by as many as 1,500 job cuts.