Microsoft plans to replace many of the salespeople it laid off with more technical roles to compete with OpenAI, Google
1. Microsoft lays off traditional sales staff to focus on technical roles. 2. Job cuts affected around 9,000 employees as AI spending rises. 3. The shift aims to enhance direct customer engagement with technical demos. 4. Microsoft faces stiff competition from OpenAI and Google in AI space. 5. Sales strategy overhaul emphasizes agility and simplifies solutions areas.