Microsoft offers relocation to hundreds of China-based AI staff [Video]

Microsoft has reportedly asked China-based cloud computing and artificial intelligence operations employees to consider relocating out of the country, as Washington cracks down on Beijing’s access to the advanced technology. 

The Wall Street Journal broke the story on Thursday, reporting that the staff, mostly comprising Chinese engineers, had been offered the opportunity to transfer to countries including the U.S., Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand, according to unnamed sources. 

One source told WSJ that Microsoft had made the offer to about 700 to 800 people in total who were involved in machine learning and other work related to cloud computing. 

CNBC could not independently verify the report.

In a statement shared with CNBC, a Microsoft spokesperson confirmed that the company had “shared an optional internal transfer opportunity with a subset of employees” without supplying details on the number and affiliation of staff affected.

“We remain committed to the region and will continue to operate in this and other markets where we have a presence,” the spokesperson …