Microsoft said on Tuesday it was laying off less than 3% of its workforce, or around 6,000 employees, as the technology giant looks to rein in costs while funneling billions of dollars into its ambitious bet on artificial intelligence.

Microsoft will cut 6,000 people — about three per cent of its global workforce — AFP reported. That includes 1,985 workers in its home state of Washington, according to a filing posted on the state's labour affairs agency website.