Meta cuts ~8,000, Microsoft buys out 7% of US staff — same day, both to fund GPUs

Meta and Microsoft announced workforce reductions on April 23: Meta cut 8,000 jobs (~10% of staff) and cancelled 6,000 open roles, while Microsoft offered early retirement to ~7% of US employees (age + tenure ≥ 70). Both companies explicitly tied savings to GPU and AI capex. Combined, the moves affect up to 23,000 positions and have fueled a viral debate about an AI-driven rise in low-paid 'ghost workers.'