Microsoft began laying off about 6,000 workers Tuesday, nearly 3% of its entire workforce and its largest job cuts in more than two years as the company spends heavily on artificial intelligence.

Microsoft will lay off 1,985 employees in Washington state starting July 12, including 475 remote workers, according to a WARN notice. It’s the largest local cut since 2023.

Microsoft's latest layoffs, which include jobs at LinkedIn, come weeks after it reported upbeat earnings and guidance after AI investments.

Microsoft is cutting roughly 3% of its global workforce as the company shifts more resources toward the race to develop advanced artificial intelligence, the company confirmed on Tuesday.

Microsoft announces layoffs affecting 3% of its workforce while investing over $80 billion in AI infrastructure

Nearly 50% of the employee layoffs at Microsoft’s Washington office affected staff in software engineering roles, as the company has started to rely more on

The recent Microsoft layoffs have reignited discussions on the relative stability and financial rewards of careers in technology compared to government employment. While some highlight the insecurity of tech jobs amid mass layoffs,

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. applications for jobless benefits held steady last week as layoffs remain low despite uncertainty over how President Donald Trump’s tariffs will impact the economy.