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The tech giant is downsizing while ramping up AI investments as companies claim smaller teams can accomplish more with AI tools.
For the first time in its history, Microsoft is telling its US employees they might want to retire early. The tech giant is offering a one-time voluntary retirement program to about 7% of its US workforce whose age and years of service total 70 or higher. The move comes as Microsoft spent $37.5 billion on AI infrastructure in the quarter ending December and claims smaller teams can accomplish more with AI tools.
It’s a pattern spreading across tech. Meta just announced it’s cutting 10% of its workers — about 8,000 jobs — to offset AI investments. Amazon eliminated 30,000 jobs across two rounds of layoffs this year. Fintech company Block slashed a staggering 40% of its staff.
Tech companies are betting AI can replace human headcount while they pour billions into infrastructure. Microsoft shares fell nearly 4% the day employees learned about the program.
For the first time in its history, Microsoft is telling its US employees they might want to retire early. The tech giant is offering a one-time voluntary retirement program to about 7% of its US workforce whose age and years of service total 70 or higher. The move comes as Microsoft spent $37.5 billion on AI infrastructure in the quarter ending December and claims smaller teams can accomplish more with AI tools.
It’s a pattern spreading across tech. Meta just announced it’s cutting 10% of its workers — about 8,000 jobs — to offset AI investments. Amazon eliminated 30,000 jobs across two rounds of layoffs this year. Fintech company Block slashed a staggering 40% of its staff.
Tech companies are betting AI can replace human headcount while they pour billions into infrastructure. Microsoft shares fell nearly 4% the day employees learned about the program.
${reply?.comment_author}${reply?.eln_tier_label ? `${reply.eln_tier_label}` : ”}
•
${reply?.comment_relative_time}
${reply?.comment_content?.trim()}
`;
}
function createComment(comment, replies, isLastComment) {
const commentListDiv = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.LIST);
if (!commentListDiv) {
return;
}
const borderClasses = isLastComment ? ” : ‘tw:border-b tw:border-slate-200’;
const currentUser = window?.tp?.pianoId?.getUser() ?? null;
const currentUserInitials = currentUser
? getInitials(`${currentUser?.firstName ?? ”} ${currentUser?.lastName ?? ”}`)
: ”;
const repliesHTML = replies.length ? `
${replies.map(buildReplyHTML).join(”)}
` : ”;
const replyButtonHTML = allowsComments ? `
` : ”;
const replyFormHTML = allowsComments ? `
` : ”;
const commentDiv = `
${comment?.comment_author}${comment?.eln_tier_label ? “ : ”}
•
${comment?.comment_relative_time}
${comment?.comment_content?.trim()}
${replyButtonHTML}
${repliesHTML}
${replyFormHTML}
`;
commentListDiv.innerHTML += commentDiv;
}
function displayComments() {
// Empty out the comment list container before refreshing comments.
const commentListDiv = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.LIST);
commentListDiv.innerHTML = ”;
const comments = state?.comments ?? [];
if (!comments.length) {
return;
}
// Build a threaded structure: separate top-level from replies.
const repliesByParent = {};
const topLevelComments = [];
comments.forEach(comment => {
if (comment.comment_parent === 0) {
topLevelComments.push(comment);
} else {
const parentId = comment.comment_parent;
if (!repliesByParent[parentId]) {
repliesByParent[parentId] = [];
}
repliesByParent[parentId].push(comment);
}
});
// Apply top-level sort order. Server returns DESC; reverse for oldest-first.
if (state.sortOrder === ‘oldest’) {
topLevelComments.reverse();
}
// Replies always show oldest first within a thread (server returns DESC, so reverse).
Object.keys(repliesByParent).forEach(parentId => {
repliesByParent[parentId].reverse();
});
topLevelComments.forEach((comment, index) => {
const isLastComment = index === topLevelComments.length – 1;
const replies = repliesByParent[comment.comment_ID] ?? [];
createComment(comment, replies, isLastComment);
});
createCommentAvatars();
}
function updateCommentCount() {
const countDiv = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.COMMENT_COUNT);
const sortControls = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.SORT_CONTROLS);
if (!countDiv) {
return;
}
const count = state?.comments?.length ?? 0;
// Do not display if there are no comments.
if (count === 0) {
return;
}
countDiv.innerHTML = `${count} Comment${count > 1 ? ‘s’ : ”}`;
if (sortControls) {
sortControls.classList.remove(‘tw:hidden’);
sortControls.classList.add(‘tw:flex’);
}
}
function displayLoader(show) {
const loader = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.BUTTON_LOADER);
const text = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.BUTTON_TEXT);
if (!loader || !text) {
return;
}
// Show or hide the loader.
if (show) {
loader.classList.remove(‘tw:hidden’);
text.classList.add(‘tw:hidden’);
} else {
loader.classList.add(‘tw:hidden’);
text.classList.remove(‘tw:hidden’);
}
}
function displayError(error) {
const errorDiv = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.ERROR);
if (!errorDiv) {
return;
}
if (error) {
errorDiv.classList.add(‘tw:block’);
errorDiv.classList.remove(‘tw:hidden’);
errorDiv.textContent = `Comment submission error: ${error}`;
} else {
errorDiv.classList.remove(‘tw:block’);
errorDiv.classList.add(‘tw:hidden’);
errorDiv.textContent=””;
}
}
function clearCommentInput() {
const commentField = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.INPUT);
if (!commentField) {
return;
}
commentField.value=””;
}
function updateComments(comments = []) {
state.comments = comments;
displayComments();
updateCommentCount();
}
function runCommentProcess(type) {
if (type === ‘postComment’) {
const comment = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.INPUT);
if (!comment || !comment?.value) {
return;
}
// Hide errors, show loader.
displayError();
displayLoader(true);
}
const data = {
type,
postId: 426099,
};
// Get a fresh nonce and either fetch comments or post comment.
fetch(`${adminAjaxUrl}?action=ep_get_public_comment_nonce`, {
method: ‘POST’,
headers: {
‘Content-Type’: ‘application/json’,
},
body: JSON.stringify(data),
})
.then((r) => r.json())
.then((response) => {
// Handle errors.
if (!response.success) {
displayLoader(false);
console.error(‘Error getting nonce: ‘, response?.data?.message);
return;
}
const nonce = response?.data?.nonce;
// Get comments.
if (type === ‘getComments’) {
getComments(nonce);
return;
}
// Post comment.
if (type === ‘postComment’) {
postComment(nonce);
}
})
.catch((e) => {
displayLoader(false);
console.error(`Error running comment process ${type}: `, e);
});
}
function getComments(nonce) {
const data = {
nonce,
postId: 426099,
};
// Fetch comments.
fetch(`${adminAjaxUrl}?action=ep_get_public_comments`, {
method: ‘POST’,
headers: {
‘Content-Type’: ‘application/json’,
},
body: JSON.stringify(data),
})
.then((r) => r.json())
.then((response) => {
// Handle errors.
if (!response.success) {
displayLoader(false);
console.error(‘Error getting comments: ‘, response?.data?.message);
return;
}
updateComments(response?.data?.comments);
displayLoader(false);
})
.catch((e) => {
displayLoader(false);
console.error(‘Error getting comments: ‘, e);
});
}
function postComment(nonce) {
const user = window?.tp?.pianoId?.getUser() ?? null;
if (!user || !user?.uid) {
console.error(‘Error posting comment: Unauthorized. Submission aborted.’);
return;
}
const comment = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.INPUT);
if (!comment || !comment?.value) {
return;
}
const data = {
nonce,
comment: comment.value,
commentParent: 0,
postId: 426099,
uid: user?.uid,
};
// Post the comment.
fetch(`${adminAjaxUrl}?action=ep_create_public_comment`, {
method: ‘POST’,
headers: {
‘Content-Type’: ‘application/json’,
},
credentials: ‘include’,
body: JSON.stringify(data),
})
.then((r) => r.json())
.then((response) => {
// Handle errors.
if (!response.success) {
displayLoader(false);
displayError(response?.data?.message, true);
console.error(‘Error posting comment: ‘, response?.data?.message);
return;
}
// Handle success.
clearCommentInput();
runCommentProcess(‘getComments’);
})
.catch((e) => {
displayLoader(false);
displayError(e);
console.error(‘Error posting comment: ‘, e);
});
}
function toggleReplyForm(commentId) {
// Close any other open reply forms.
document.querySelectorAll(‘.ep-reply-form’).forEach(function(form) {
if (form.dataset.parentId !== String(commentId)) {
form.classList.add(‘tw:hidden’);
}
});
// Toggle the targeted reply form.
const targetForm = document.querySelector(‘.ep-reply-form[data-parent-id=”‘ + commentId + ‘”]’);
if (targetForm) {
targetForm.classList.toggle(‘tw:hidden’);
if (!targetForm.classList.contains(‘tw:hidden’)) {
targetForm.querySelector(‘.ep-reply-input’)?.focus();
}
}
}
function setReplyLoading(formEl, isLoading) {
const btn = formEl.querySelector(‘.ep-reply-submit’);
const btnText = formEl.querySelector(‘.ep-reply-button-text’);
if (!btn || !btnText) {
return;
}
if (isLoading) {
btnText.textContent=”Posting…”;
btn.disabled = true;
} else {
btnText.textContent=”Post Reply”;
btn.disabled = false;
}
}
function displayReplyError(formEl, error) {
const errorDiv = formEl.querySelector(‘.ep-reply-error’);
if (!errorDiv || !error) {
return;
}
errorDiv.textContent=”Reply error: ” + error;
errorDiv.classList.remove(‘tw:hidden’);
errorDiv.classList.add(‘tw:block’);
}
function clearReplyError(formEl) {
const errorDiv = formEl.querySelector(‘.ep-reply-error’);
if (!errorDiv) {
return;
}
errorDiv.textContent=””;
errorDiv.classList.add(‘tw:hidden’);
errorDiv.classList.remove(‘tw:block’);
}
function postReply(nonce, parentId, replyText, formEl) {
const user = window?.tp?.pianoId?.getUser() ?? null;
if (!user || !user?.uid) {
setReplyLoading(formEl, false);
return;
}
const data = {
nonce,
comment: replyText,
commentParent: parentId,
postId: 426099,
uid: user?.uid,
};
fetch(`${adminAjaxUrl}?action=ep_create_public_comment`, {
method: ‘POST’,
headers: {
‘Content-Type’: ‘application/json’,
},
credentials: ‘include’,
body: JSON.stringify(data),
})
.then((r) => r.json())
.then((response) => {
setReplyLoading(formEl, false);
if (!response.success) {
displayReplyError(formEl, response?.data?.message);
console.error(‘Error posting reply: ‘, response?.data?.message);
return;
}
formEl.querySelector(‘.ep-reply-input’).value=””;
formEl.classList.add(‘tw:hidden’);
runCommentProcess(‘getComments’);
})
.catch((e) => {
setReplyLoading(formEl, false);
displayReplyError(formEl, ‘Network error. Please try again.’);
console.error(‘Error posting reply: ‘, e);
});
}
function submitReply(parentId, formEl) {
const input = formEl.querySelector(‘.ep-reply-input’);
if (!input || !input.value.trim()) {
return;
}
const user = window?.tp?.pianoId?.getUser() ?? null;
if (!user || !user?.uid) {
openLoginModal();
return;
}
setReplyLoading(formEl, true);
clearReplyError(formEl);
const data = {
type: ‘postComment’,
postId: 426099,
};
fetch(`${adminAjaxUrl}?action=ep_get_public_comment_nonce`, {
method: ‘POST’,
headers: {
‘Content-Type’: ‘application/json’,
},
body: JSON.stringify(data),
})
.then((r) => r.json())
.then((response) => {
if (!response.success) {
setReplyLoading(formEl, false);
displayReplyError(formEl, response?.data?.message);
return;
}
postReply(response?.data?.nonce, parseInt(parentId, 10), input.value.trim(), formEl);
})
.catch((e) => {
setReplyLoading(formEl, false);
displayReplyError(formEl, ‘Network error. Please try again.’);
console.error(‘Error getting nonce for reply: ‘, e);
});
}
function setupCommentListDelegation() {
const commentListDiv = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.LIST);
if (!commentListDiv) {
return;
}
commentListDiv.addEventListener(‘click’, function(e) {
// Reply button: toggle the inline reply form.
const replyButton = e.target.closest(‘.’ + PublicCommentSelectors.REPLY_BUTTON);
if (replyButton) {
const commentId = replyButton.dataset.commentId;
const user = window?.tp?.pianoId?.getUser() ?? null;
if (!user) {
openLoginModal();
return;
}
toggleReplyForm(commentId);
return;
}
// Reply cancel: hide the reply form.
const replyCancel = e.target.closest(‘.ep-reply-cancel’);
if (replyCancel) {
const parentId = replyCancel.dataset.parentId;
const form = document.querySelector(‘.ep-reply-form[data-parent-id=”‘ + parentId + ‘”]’);
if (form) {
form.classList.add(‘tw:hidden’);
}
return;
}
// Reply submit: post the reply.
const replySubmit = e.target.closest(‘.ep-reply-submit’);
if (replySubmit) {
const parentId = replySubmit.dataset.parentId;
const form = document.querySelector(‘.ep-reply-form[data-parent-id=”‘ + parentId + ‘”]’);
if (form) {
submitReply(parentId, form);
}
}
});
}
function setupUserAvatar() {
const usernameDiv = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.USERNAME);
const userAvatar = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.USER_AVATAR);
if (!usernameDiv || !userAvatar) {
return;
}
const user = window?.tp?.pianoId?.getUser() ?? null;
if (!user) {
return;
}
const fullName = `${user?.firstName ?? ”} ${user?.lastName ?? ”}`;
usernameDiv.innerHTML = fullName;
userAvatar.innerHTML = getInitials(fullName);
}
function openLoginModal() {
window?.tp?.pianoId?.show({ displayMode: ‘modal’, screen: ‘login’ });
}
function setupCommentSubmitButton() {
const submitButton = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.SUBMIT);
if (!submitButton || state.submitCommentButtonRegistered) {
return;
}
// Register a single click handler that checks auth state at click time.
submitButton.addEventListener(‘click’, function() {
const user = window?.tp?.pianoId?.getUser() ?? null;
if (!user) {
openLoginModal();
return;
}
runCommentProcess(‘postComment’);
});
state.submitCommentButtonRegistered = true;
}
function setSortOrder(order) {
state.sortOrder = order;
const newestBtn = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.SORT_NEWEST);
const oldestBtn = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.SORT_OLDEST);
if (newestBtn && oldestBtn) {
const activeClasses = [‘tw:font-bold’, ‘tw:text-blue-800’];
const inactiveClasses = [‘tw:font-normal’, ‘tw:text-slate-500’];
if (order === ‘newest’) {
newestBtn.classList.add(…activeClasses);
newestBtn.classList.remove(…inactiveClasses);
oldestBtn.classList.add(…inactiveClasses);
oldestBtn.classList.remove(…activeClasses);
} else {
oldestBtn.classList.add(…activeClasses);
oldestBtn.classList.remove(…inactiveClasses);
newestBtn.classList.add(…inactiveClasses);
newestBtn.classList.remove(…activeClasses);
}
}
displayComments();
}
function setupSortControls() {
const newestBtn = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.SORT_NEWEST);
const oldestBtn = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.SORT_OLDEST);
if (newestBtn) {
newestBtn.addEventListener(‘click’, function() {
setSortOrder(‘newest’);
});
}
if (oldestBtn) {
oldestBtn.addEventListener(‘click’, function() {
setSortOrder(‘oldest’);
});
}
}
runCommentProcess(‘getComments’);
listenForPianoLogin();
setupCommentSubmitButton();
setupCommentListDelegation();
setupSortControls();
});






