Microsoft to Replace Sales Roles with AI Engineers Amid 9,000 Job Cuts

Microsoft is undergoing a major sales overhaul, laying off nearly 9,000 employees—about 4% of its workforce—and replacing traditional sales roles with AI-focused "solutions engineers." These engineers will offer technical demos rather than sales pitches, responding to client demand for faster, hands-on engagement. The shift reflects rising competition with OpenAI and Google in enterprise AI. Microsoft has also streamlined its sales focus from six to three areas: AI Business Solutions, Cloud & AI Platforms, and Security. Aiming to become "the Frontier AI Firm," the company emphasizes agility and embedding AI across roles, aligning with its growing investment in AI technologies.