Microsoft's massive employee buyout spooked everyone. Here's what's really going on inside the company.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella. Oliver Berg/picture alliance via Getty Images

Microsoft 's huge employee buyout stunned the industry this week, raising urgent questions about why the software giant might want so many people to leave.

Inside the company, concerned staff debated the meaning of the move . Why might Microsoft want to shed 60,000 workers? Will roles be replaced by AI? Are more layoffs ahead?

Business Insider spent recent days speaking with Microsoft insiders to find out what's really happening.…