A former Microsoft employee, known as “BlackExcellence19,” shared insights on Reddit following the company’s 2025 layoffs, where 15,000 positions were cut. He noted a significant cultural shift at Microsoft, particularly as AI became monetized. Joining the M365 Core team in 2022 and working on the Copilot Data Platform, he described the pre-2024 environment as holistic, focusing on both technical skills and interpersonal growth. However, he observed a transition to a performance-driven mindset emphasizing metrics like pull requests and AI tool usage, which impacted job satisfaction and career progression. The ex-employee also expressed regret over losing $30,000 in stock compensation amid these changes. His comments sparked discussions on Reddit about the implications of AI on workplace dynamics, productivity metrics, and the future of software engineering roles. While acknowledging Copilot’s potential, he critiqued how AI-driven demands altered Microsoft’s once-people-focused culture.
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