Microsoft is set to resume hiring, ending a freeze that saw over 15,000 job cuts in 2025. CEO Satya Nadella announced the shift after a year-long period where the company's 228,000 employees were pushed to integrate artificial intelligence tools into their daily workflows. The strategic pause was designed to have employees fundamentally "unlearn and relearn" their roles using AI, such as Microsoft 365 Copilot, to enhance productivity before the company begins to expand its headcount again. Nadella compared the transition to how email and spreadsheets previously revolutionized workplace efficiency. Nadella stated that future headcount growth will come with significantly more leverage than before the company's intensive AI push. This signals a new phase for Microsoft, focusing on maximizing the productivity gains from its AI investments before bringing in new talent.