Workday, the software giant behind popular workforce management tools, is laying off 1,750 workers in a sweeping cut that includes 617 in the Bay Area.

Pleasanton-based Workday is cutting about 1,750 jobs, or 8.5% of its workforce. In a Wednesday memo to employees, published in a securities filing, Workday CEO Carl Eschenbach said the layoffs were necessary for ongoing growth efforts at the company — including a particular focus on artificial intelligence investments.