Microsoft Corp.'s LinkedIn is cutting workers in the latest move by the tech industry to reduce headcount as companies adapt to the age of artificial intelligence. The professional social network must deliver increased impact to users and operate more profitably, LinkedIn chief executive Daniel Shapero told employees in a memo on Wednesday. The reductions will impact a range of job functions, including engineering, product and marketing, he wrote.
Background of the Cuts
The full scope of LinkedIn's staff reductions could not be determined. The division has 17,500 employees, according to its site. Acquired by Microsoft in 2016, LinkedIn has largely operated independently from the rest of the company. It reported US$17.8 billion in revenue in Microsoft's most recent fiscal year, which ended in May 2025.
Company Response
"As part of our regular business planning, we've implemented organizational changes to best position ourselves for future success," a company spokesperson said. Microsoft has been steadily paring jobs in recent years amid a margin-straining build-out of data centres and other infrastructure for its artificial intelligence services.
Leadership Changes
The division is overseen by executive vice president Ryan Roslansky, who also watches over Microsoft's office software. Shapero, who has been an executive at the company since before the acquisition, was named LinkedIn's chief last month.
These layoffs reflect a broader trend in the technology sector, where companies are streamlining operations to focus on AI and other emerging technologies. LinkedIn's job cuts are part of a series of reductions across the industry, as firms seek to balance growth with profitability in a rapidly evolving market.
