<p>Microsoft has announced a new AI-focused business called Microsoft Frontier Company, backed by an initial investment of $2.5 billion, as the tech giant shifts its attention from simply providing AI models to helping companies successfully deploy them. The announcement comes as businesses around the world increase spending on artificial intelligence but struggle to identify which models deliver the best results for their operations. Microsoft says the new company will help customers integrate AI faster while improving returns on their investments. Reuters first reported the launch.</p><h2><strong>Why Microsoft is creating Frontier Company</strong></h2><p>Over the past two years, many companies have experimented with AI using services from firms such as OpenAI and Anthropic. However, many enterprises are now using multiple AI models instead of relying on a single provider. Microsoft says Frontier Company will help businesses select AI models, combine them with their own internal data and deploy AI systems that suit their specific needs. Customers will also retain ownership of the AI solutions built for them rather than sharing those improvements with Microsoft.</p><h2><strong>Businesses want flexibility, not just one AI model</strong></h2><p>According to Microsoft Commercial Business CEO Judson Althoff, the company has learnt important lessons from the early days of Copilot. He said Microsoft initially depended too heavily on OpenAI's models. As more competitors such as Google's Gemini, Anthropic's Claude and open-source AI models entered the market, businesses increasingly demanded the flexibility to switch between different AI systems. Instead of locking customers into one model, Frontier Company is designed to support AI tools from Microsoft as well as external providers, allowing businesses to choose the technology that best fits their work.</p><h2><strong>Enterprise AI enters a new stage</strong></h2><p>The move reflects a broader change in the AI industry. Rather than asking which chatbot is the smartest, businesses are increasingly focused on how AI can improve productivity, reduce costs and generate measurable business value. Microsoft joins companies such as Palantir and Amazon Web Services, which also provide consulting and technical support to help enterprises deploy AI at scale. The company has already lined up customers including Unilever and Novo Nordisk, signalling that demand for enterprise AI services continues to grow across industries. As AI adoption expands, experts believe success will depend less on using a single powerful model and more on combining the right AI tools with company data, security requirements and business goals.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

Microsoft has launched Frontier Company with a $2.5 billion investment to help businesses deploy AI more effectively. The new venture will support Microsoft and third-party AI models, reflecting a growing shift towards flexible enterprise AI solutions.

Microsoft has announced a new AI-focused business called Microsoft Frontier Company, backed by an initial investment of $2.5 billion, as the tech giant shifts its attention from simply providing AI models to helping companies successfully deploy them. The announcement comes as businesses around the world increase spending on artificial intelligence but struggle to identify which models deliver the best results for their operations. Microsoft says the new company will help customers integrate AI faster while improving returns on their investments. Reuters first reported the launch. Why Microsoft is creating Frontier Company Over the past two years, many companies have experimented with AI using services from firms such as OpenAI and Anthropic. However, many enterprises are now using multiple AI models instead of relying on a single provider. Microsoft says Frontier Company will help businesses select AI models, combine them with their own internal data and deploy AI systems that suit their specific needs. Customers will also retain ownership of the AI solutions built for them rather than sharing those improvements with Microsoft. Businesses want flexibility, not just one AI model According to Microsoft Commercial Business CEO Judson Althoff, the company has learnt important lessons from the early days of Copilot. He said Microsoft initially depended too heavily on OpenAI's models. As more competitors such as Google's Gemini, Anthropic's Claude and open-source AI models entered the market, businesses increasingly demanded the flexibility to switch between different AI systems. Instead of locking customers into one model, Frontier Company is designed to support AI tools from Microsoft as well as external providers, allowing businesses to choose the technology that best fits their work. Enterprise AI enters a new stage The move reflects a broader change in the AI industry. Rather than asking which chatbot is the smartest, businesses are increasingly focused on how AI can improve productivity, reduce costs and generate measurable business value. Microsoft joins companies such as Palantir and Amazon Web Services, which also provide consulting and technical support to help enterprises deploy AI at scale. The company has already lined up customers including Unilever and Novo Nordisk, signalling that demand for enterprise AI services continues to grow across industries. As AI adoption expands, experts believe success will depend less on using a single powerful model and more on combining the right AI tools with company data, security requirements and business goals.

<p>Microsoft has launched Frontier Company with a $2.5 billion investment to help businesses deploy AI more effectively. The new venture will support Microsoft and third-party AI models, reflecting a growing shift towards flexible enterprise AI solutions.</p>

Microsoft bets $2.5 billion on new AI company to help businesses deploy AI

<p>Microsoft has announced a worldwide price increase for its Xbox consoles, making it the latest technology company to feel the impact of the artificial intelligence boom. The new prices will take effect from August 1, with some Xbox models becoming up to $150 more expensive as the cost of key components continues to rise.</p><h2><strong>Why are Xbox prices going up?</strong></h2><p>The Xbox Series S (512GB) will now cost $499.99, up from $399.99, while the 1TB model rises to $599.99. The Xbox Series X will retail at $799.99, and Microsoft has also decided to discontinue the 2TB Series X. According to Microsoft, prices of memory and storage chips have increased by more than 2.5 times. The company says AI firms are buying huge volumes of advanced memory for data centres that power generative AI models, leaving consumer electronics manufacturers facing much higher production costs.</p><h2><strong>AI is reshaping the electronics market</strong></h2><p>The Xbox price increase follows similar pricing pressure across the consumer technology industry, highlighting how AI infrastructure is beginning to affect everyday devices.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Gaming consoles, laptops, smartphones and AI servers all depend on many of the same memory and storage components. As AI companies continue investing billions in new data centres, competition for these components has intensified, pushing prices higher across the supply chain.</p><h2><strong>GTA 6 could increase demand further</strong></h2><p>The timing is significant. Rockstar Games is expected to launch Grand Theft Auto VI later this year, a release widely expected to boost console demand globally. Higher demand for gaming hardware, combined with ongoing shortages of memory components, could keep console prices elevated for some time. For consumers, Microsoft's latest announcement is another reminder that the AI race is influencing far more than chatbots; it is beginning to change the price of the devices people buy every day.</p>

Microsoft has raised Xbox console prices worldwide, blaming soaring memory and storage costs driven by AI data-centre demand. The move highlights how the AI boom is now affecting consumer electronics, with gamers facing higher prices ahead of GTA 6's expected launch.


Microsoft has announced a worldwide price increase for its Xbox consoles, making it the latest technology company to feel the impact of the artificial intelligence boom. The new prices will take effect from August 1, with some Xbox models becoming up to $150 more expensive as the cost of key components continues to rise. Why are Xbox prices going up? The Xbox Series S (512GB) will now cost $499.99, up from $399.99, while the 1TB model rises to $599.99. The Xbox Series X will retail at $799.99, and Microsoft has also decided to discontinue the 2TB Series X. According to Microsoft, prices of memory and storage chips have increased by more than 2.5 times. The company says AI firms are buying huge volumes of advanced memory for data centres that power generative AI models, leaving consumer electronics manufacturers facing much higher production costs. AI is reshaping the electronics market The Xbox price increase follows similar pricing pressure across the consumer technology industry, highlighting how AI infrastructure is beginning to affect everyday devices. Gaming consoles, laptops, smartphones and AI servers all depend on many of the same memory and storage components. As AI companies continue investing billions in new data centres, competition for these components has intensified, pushing prices higher across the supply chain. GTA 6 could increase demand further The timing is significant. Rockstar Games is expected to launch Grand Theft Auto VI later this year, a release widely expected to boost console demand globally. Higher demand for gaming hardware, combined with ongoing shortages of memory components, could keep console prices elevated for some time. For consumers, Microsoft's latest announcement is another reminder that the AI race is influencing far more than chatbots; it is beginning to change the price of the devices people buy every day.

<p>Microsoft has raised Xbox console prices worldwide, blaming soaring memory and storage costs driven by AI data-centre demand. The move highlights how the AI boom is now affecting consumer electronics, with gamers facing higher prices ahead of GTA 6's expected launch.</p>

AI is making Xbox consoles more expensive. Here's why Microsoft raised prices

<p>India's largest IT services companies are rapidly expanding their use of artificial intelligence, with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Infosys and Wipro now deploying Microsoft 365 Copilot to more than 300,000 employees combined.</p><p>Microsoft announced the milestone on June 3, describing it as one of the largest enterprise AI deployments globally. The rollout highlights how major companies are moving beyond small AI pilot programmes and integrating artificial intelligence into daily operations across thousands of employees.</p><p>The development comes at a time when businesses worldwide are evaluating both the benefits and costs of AI adoption, including concerns over rising spending on AI infrastructure and computing resources.</p><h2><strong>From pilot projects to large-scale AI adoption</strong></h2><p>The latest expansion builds on the initial deployment announced in December, when TCS, Infosys and Wipro each committed to deploying around 50,000 Microsoft Copilot licences. Less than six months later, the combined deployment has crossed 300,000 users, signalling growing confidence in AI-powered workplace tools.</p><p>According to Microsoft, organisations are increasingly using Copilot across engineering teams, customer service operations, research functions, internal communications and business workflows. The company says this reflects a broader shift towards embedding AI into everyday work rather than treating it as a separate technology experiment.</p><h2><strong>Infosys, TCS and Wipro are using Microsoft Copilot</strong></h2><p>Microsoft shared detailed adoption figures from each company.</p><p>Infosys<br>Infosys has crossed 100,000 Copilot users, with monthly active usage exceeding 91 per cent.</p><p>The company has integrated AI tools into employee workflows across multiple business functions, helping staff automate routine tasks and improve productivity.</p><p>Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)</p><p>TCS reported that 86 per cent of employees with Copilot licences actively use the tool in their daily work.</p><p>According to the company, some teams have recorded:</p><p>Productivity improvements of 20 per cent to 25 per cent in research and content-related tasks</p><p>Twice-faster insight generation</p><p>A 25 per cent to 35 per cent reduction in selected work-cycle times These gains are helping employees spend less time on repetitive work and more time on higher-value activities.</p><p>Wipro<br>Wipro reported some of the highest engagement figures.<br>The company says more than 95 per cent of licensed employees actively use Copilot every month.</p><p>According to Wipro: Employees generate around 7.5 million AI prompts each month AI-assisted workflows save more than 250,000 full-time-equivalent workdays every quarter Employees have built over 29,000 AI agents internally More than 60 enterprise-grade agentic AI solutions have been developed The figures suggest AI tools are becoming deeply integrated into day-to-day operations.</p><h2><strong>Microsoft's vision of 'Frontier Firms'</strong></h2><p>Microsoft says the rapid adoption of Copilot aligns with what it calls "Frontier Firms". According to the company, these are organisations that redesign work around collaboration between humans and AI systems rather than simply adding AI tools to existing processes. Puneet Chandok, President of Microsoft India and South Asia, said TCS, Infosys and Wipro are placing Copilot at the centre of how employees work.</p><p>He described the shift as a move from experimenting with artificial intelligence to building business operations around it. Microsoft argues that organisations using AI effectively can improve decision-making, customer engagement and operational efficiency while creating new business opportunities.</p><p>India's IT services industry has become one of the largest users of workplace AI tools globally. Companies such as TCS, Infosys and Wipro manage large workforces that support businesses across banking, healthcare, retail, manufacturing and technology sectors.</p>

India's largest IT services companies are rapidly expanding their use of artificial intelligence, with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Infosys and Wipro now deploying Microsoft 365 Copilot to more than 300,000 employees combined.

India's largest IT services companies are rapidly expanding their use of artificial intelligence, with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Infosys and Wipro now deploying Microsoft 365 Copilot to more than 300,000 employees combined. Microsoft announced the milestone on June 3, describing it as one of the largest enterprise AI deployments globally. The rollout highlights how major companies are moving beyond small AI pilot programmes and integrating artificial intelligence into daily operations across thousands of employees. The development comes at a time when businesses worldwide are evaluating both the benefits and costs of AI adoption, including concerns over rising spending on AI infrastructure and computing resources. From pilot projects to large-scale AI adoption The latest expansion builds on the initial deployment announced in December, when TCS, Infosys and Wipro each committed to deploying around 50,000 Microsoft Copilot licences. Less than six months later, the combined deployment has crossed 300,000 users, signalling growing confidence in AI-powered workplace tools. According to Microsoft, organisations are increasingly using Copilot across engineering teams, customer service operations, research functions, internal communications and business workflows. The company says this reflects a broader shift towards embedding AI into everyday work rather than treating it as a separate technology experiment. Infosys, TCS and Wipro are using Microsoft Copilot Microsoft shared detailed adoption figures from each company. Infosys Infosys has crossed 100,000 Copilot users, with monthly active usage exceeding 91 per cent. The company has integrated AI tools into employee workflows across multiple business functions, helping staff automate routine tasks and improve productivity. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) TCS reported that 86 per cent of employees with Copilot licences actively use the tool in their daily work. According to the company, some teams have recorded: Productivity improvements of 20 per cent to 25 per cent in research and content-related tasks Twice-faster insight generation A 25 per cent to 35 per cent reduction in selected work-cycle times These gains are helping employees spend less time on repetitive work and more time on higher-value activities. Wipro Wipro reported some of the highest engagement figures. The company says more than 95 per cent of licensed employees actively use Copilot every month. According to Wipro: Employees generate around 7.5 million AI prompts each month AI-assisted workflows save more than 250,000 full-time-equivalent workdays every quarter Employees have built over 29,000 AI agents internally More than 60 enterprise-grade agentic AI solutions have been developed The figures suggest AI tools are becoming deeply integrated into day-to-day operations. Microsoft's vision of 'Frontier Firms' Microsoft says the rapid adoption of Copilot aligns with what it calls "Frontier Firms". According to the company, these are organisations that redesign work around collaboration between humans and AI systems rather than simply adding AI tools to existing processes. Puneet Chandok, President of Microsoft India and South Asia, said TCS, Infosys and Wipro are placing Copilot at the centre of how employees work. He described the shift as a move from experimenting with artificial intelligence to building business operations around it. Microsoft argues that organisations using AI effectively can improve decision-making, customer engagement and operational efficiency while creating new business opportunities. India's IT services industry has become one of the largest users of workplace AI tools globally. Companies such as TCS, Infosys and Wipro manage large workforces that support businesses across banking, healthcare, retail, manufacturing and technology sectors.

<p>India's largest IT services companies are rapidly expanding their use of artificial intelligence, with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Infosys and Wipro now deploying Microsoft 365 Copilot to more than 300,000 employees combined.</p>

TCS, Infosys and Wipro deploy Microsoft Copilot to more than 300,000 employees

Copilot is now the biggest competitor for 2024 thanks to Microsoft, which also easily integrates AI support into well-known programs like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams. Copilot is accessible for iOS and Android smartphones.

2024 will be the Year of Microsoft Copilot