<p>Microsoft has raised $25 billion through a major bond offering, despite holding billions of dollars in cash, as the technology giant prepares for another phase of investment in artificial intelligence and cloud infrastructure.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The bond sale marks Microsoft's return to the US investment-grade debt market for the first time since 2017. The company has priced senior unsecured notes with maturities stretching from 2028 to 2066 and fixed interest rates reaching 6.35%. However, Microsoft has not said that the entire amount will be spent on AI. The proceeds are intended for general corporate purposes, including capital expenditure, acquisitions, share buybacks and repayment of existing debt.</p><h2><strong>Why Is Microsoft Borrowing $25 Billion Despite Having Billions In Cash?</strong></h2><p>Microsoft reported $76.8 billion in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments as of June 30, 2026.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>So why borrow?</p><p>The answer lies partly in the enormous cost of building AI infrastructure. Data centres require expensive servers, advanced processors, networking equipment, land and electricity infrastructure. Microsoft is expanding its Azure cloud business while integrating AI capabilities into products such as Microsoft 365 and Copilot. These services require substantial computing capacity. By issuing bonds, Microsoft can access additional funding without immediately using as much of its existing cash reserves. It also gets greater flexibility to manage investments, acquisitions and shareholder returns.</p><h2><strong>AI Spending Is Pushing Big Tech Towards Debt Markets</strong></h2><p>Microsoft is not alone in turning to borrowing as technology companies expand their AI infrastructure.</p><p>Alphabet reportedly raised $25 billion through a bond offering in August. The wider industry is committing enormous sums to data centres, cloud computing and advanced AI systems. The challenge is that companies must spend heavily on infrastructure before they can fully recover those investments through subscriptions, cloud services and AI products. This raises an important financial question: how quickly will revenue from AI justify the enormous cost of building the infrastructure behind it?</p><h2><strong>Microsoft Bond Sale: Interest Rates Reach 6.35%</strong></h2><p>Microsoft's $25 billion offering includes multiple bond tranches with different repayment dates. The fixed-rate notes carry annual interest rates ranging from 4.85% for bonds maturing in 2028 to 6.35% for those maturing in 2066.</p><p>The company is also issuing floating-rate notes, whose interest payments can change over time. Investor demand has reportedly been strong, with orders exceeding $100 billion, considerably higher than the amount Microsoft plans to raise.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The offering is expected to close on November 4. For Microsoft, the deal provides long-term financing flexibility. For investors, it highlights how even some of the world's wealthiest technology companies are using debt markets to support their growing financial commitments.</p>

Microsoft has priced a $25 billion bond sale despite holding $76.8 billion in cash and short-term investments. The move comes as AI and cloud infrastructure costs rise, with bond interest rates reaching 6.35% and investor orders reportedly exceeding $100 billion.

Microsoft has raised $25 billion through a major bond offering, despite holding billions of dollars in cash, as the technology giant prepares for another phase of investment in artificial intelligence and cloud infrastructure. The bond sale marks Microsoft's return to the US investment-grade debt market for the first time since 2017. The company has priced senior unsecured notes with maturities stretching from 2028 to 2066 and fixed interest rates reaching 6.35%. However, Microsoft has not said that the entire amount will be spent on AI. The proceeds are intended for general corporate purposes, including capital expenditure, acquisitions, share buybacks and repayment of existing debt. Why Is Microsoft Borrowing $25 Billion Despite Having Billions In Cash? Microsoft reported $76.8 billion in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments as of June 30, 2026. So why borrow? The answer lies partly in the enormous cost of building AI infrastructure. Data centres require expensive servers, advanced processors, networking equipment, land and electricity infrastructure. Microsoft is expanding its Azure cloud business while integrating AI capabilities into products such as Microsoft 365 and Copilot. These services require substantial computing capacity. By issuing bonds, Microsoft can access additional funding without immediately using as much of its existing cash reserves. It also gets greater flexibility to manage investments, acquisitions and shareholder returns. AI Spending Is Pushing Big Tech Towards Debt Markets Microsoft is not alone in turning to borrowing as technology companies expand their AI infrastructure. Alphabet reportedly raised $25 billion through a bond offering in August. The wider industry is committing enormous sums to data centres, cloud computing and advanced AI systems. The challenge is that companies must spend heavily on infrastructure before they can fully recover those investments through subscriptions, cloud services and AI products. This raises an important financial question: how quickly will revenue from AI justify the enormous cost of building the infrastructure behind it? Microsoft Bond Sale: Interest Rates Reach 6.35% Microsoft's $25 billion offering includes multiple bond tranches with different repayment dates. The fixed-rate notes carry annual interest rates ranging from 4.85% for bonds maturing in 2028 to 6.35% for those maturing in 2066. The company is also issuing floating-rate notes, whose interest payments can change over time. Investor demand has reportedly been strong, with orders exceeding $100 billion, considerably higher than the amount Microsoft plans to raise. The offering is expected to close on November 4. For Microsoft, the deal provides long-term financing flexibility. For investors, it highlights how even some of the world's wealthiest technology companies are using debt markets to support their growing financial commitments.

<p>Microsoft has priced a $25 billion bond sale despite holding $76.8 billion in cash and short-term investments. The move comes as AI and cloud infrastructure costs rise, with bond interest rates reaching 6.35% and investor orders reportedly exceeding $100 billion.</p>

Why is Microsoft raising $25 billion in debt when it already has $76.8 billion in cash?

<p>Five of the world's biggest technology companies have disclosed a combined $3.3 trillion in future spending commitments, marking a record total. Alphabet, Meta, Microsoft, Amazon and Oracle are among the companies behind the figure, highlighting the enormous scale of financial commitments being made across the technology industry.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The figure is significant because it brings together commitments from companies with major roles in cloud computing, artificial intelligence, software and digital infrastructure. However, the $3.3 trillion total should not automatically be treated as money already spent or as a single-year investment budget.</p><p>Which Tech Companies Are Behind The $3.3 Trillion Figure?</p><p><strong>The companies named in the disclosures are:</strong></p><p>- Alphabet: Google's parent company.</p><p>- Meta: The owner of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp.</p><p>- Microsoft: A major software, cloud and AI company.</p><p>- Amazon: The e-commerce and cloud computing giant.</p><p>- Oracle: An enterprise software and cloud infrastructure provider.</p><p>Together, their reported future spending commitments amount to $3.3 trillion.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The combined figure puts the financial plans of these technology companies in the spotlight. Their decisions can influence investment in computing infrastructure, technology services and the wider digital economy.</p><h2><strong>Does $3.3 Trillion Mean These Companies Have Already Spent The Money?</strong></h2><p>No. There is an important difference between spending that has already taken place and future spending commitments. A commitment represents an obligation or planned financial responsibility extending into the future. Depending on how each company reports it, this could cover different types of expenditure and different time periods.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Therefore, the $3.3 trillion figure should not be interpreted as the companies having spent that amount already. Nor does the combined total, by itself, reveal how much each company will spend in a particular year.</p><h2><strong>Why Does This Figure Matter For The Technology Industry?</strong></h2><p>The scale of the commitments raises important questions about how major technology companies are planning their future investments and managing their financial obligations. It also makes comparisons between the companies particularly important. The total amount alone does not show which business has the largest individual commitment, what the money will fund or how quickly it will be deployed. For investors, technology businesses and consumers, the next important details will be the breakdown of these commitments, their timelines and their expected returns. The $3.3 trillion figure offers a striking picture of Big Tech's financial scale. But understanding what sits behind the number is essential to judging its real economic impact.</p>

Alphabet, Meta, Microsoft, Amazon and Oracle have disclosed a combined $3.3 trillion in future spending commitments. The record figure highlights Big Tech's financial scale, although the breakdown, timelines and nature of the commitments remain important.

Five of the world's biggest technology companies have disclosed a combined $3.3 trillion in future spending commitments, marking a record total. Alphabet, Meta, Microsoft, Amazon and Oracle are among the companies behind the figure, highlighting the enormous scale of financial commitments being made across the technology industry. The figure is significant because it brings together commitments from companies with major roles in cloud computing, artificial intelligence, software and digital infrastructure. However, the $3.3 trillion total should not automatically be treated as money already spent or as a single-year investment budget. Which Tech Companies Are Behind The $3.3 Trillion Figure? The companies named in the disclosures are: - Alphabet: Google's parent company. - Meta: The owner of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. - Microsoft: A major software, cloud and AI company. - Amazon: The e-commerce and cloud computing giant. - Oracle: An enterprise software and cloud infrastructure provider. Together, their reported future spending commitments amount to $3.3 trillion. The combined figure puts the financial plans of these technology companies in the spotlight. Their decisions can influence investment in computing infrastructure, technology services and the wider digital economy. Does $3.3 Trillion Mean These Companies Have Already Spent The Money? No. There is an important difference between spending that has already taken place and future spending commitments. A commitment represents an obligation or planned financial responsibility extending into the future. Depending on how each company reports it, this could cover different types of expenditure and different time periods. Therefore, the $3.3 trillion figure should not be interpreted as the companies having spent that amount already. Nor does the combined total, by itself, reveal how much each company will spend in a particular year. Why Does This Figure Matter For The Technology Industry? The scale of the commitments raises important questions about how major technology companies are planning their future investments and managing their financial obligations. It also makes comparisons between the companies particularly important. The total amount alone does not show which business has the largest individual commitment, what the money will fund or how quickly it will be deployed. For investors, technology businesses and consumers, the next important details will be the breakdown of these commitments, their timelines and their expected returns. The $3.3 trillion figure offers a striking picture of Big Tech's financial scale. But understanding what sits behind the number is essential to judging its real economic impact.

<p>Alphabet, Meta, Microsoft, Amazon and Oracle have disclosed a combined $3.3 trillion in future spending commitments. The record figure highlights Big Tech's financial scale, although the breakdown, timelines and nature of the commitments remain important.</p>

Alphabet, Meta, Microsoft, Amazon and Oracle reveal $3.3 trillion in future spending commitments

<p>Microsoft has filed a patent for an AI product that can alter and remove words and change the shape of the speaker's mouth to match them. The makers describe it as a "near real-time artificial intelligence (AI) enhancement of video or augmented reality (AR) presentations of live events," according to patent tracker Patentlyze.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The user will hear what they want and filter out what they don't want, even in live events. The agents base their decision to change or remove words on set parameters or user profiles. The video is then edited to smooth the transition, making the video appear completely real. With AI-fueled deepfakes, disinformation is becoming rampant, and this tool can aggravate the situation.</p><h2><strong>How can Microsoft's AI tool be used?</strong></h2><p>&nbsp;</p><p>But the patent claims it can be of help in several scenarios. People can personalise what they are watching, such as in terms of language. They can also remove sounds of gasping, like oohs and aahs, stutters and other such issues. The wider possible cases include removing terms that have been coined, "personal words or phrases", &nbsp;“colloquial terms", etc.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The AI tool can also remove "mumbled words, mispronounced words, misused words, misspoken words, offensive words, insensitive words, or inappropriate words," replacing them with words it would search on the internet.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Microsoft has not commented on the patent. However, the tool is sure to change how people interact with live videos. They will have the choice to turn off something they don't like. You can tailor the speech to fit your requirements, including the words you want removed, such as those associated with a dialect. &nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Even though the patent claims the AI tool can deliver several benefits, there is no doubt about the potential for misuse. Altering what a speaker is originally saying can be used to spread misinformation. Bad actors might edit out speeches on important matters, which can lead to unrest.&nbsp;</p>

Microsoft has come up with a technology where live speeches can be edited, words removed, replaced and removed altogether. The AI tool can also edit the video to fit the changes in a way that the speaker's mouth movements match them exactly.

Microsoft has filed a patent for an AI product that can alter and remove words and change the shape of the speaker's mouth to match them. The makers describe it as a "near real-time artificial intelligence (AI) enhancement of video or augmented reality (AR) presentations of live events," according to patent tracker Patentlyze. The user will hear what they want and filter out what they don't want, even in live events. The agents base their decision to change or remove words on set parameters or user profiles. The video is then edited to smooth the transition, making the video appear completely real. With AI-fueled deepfakes, disinformation is becoming rampant, and this tool can aggravate the situation. How can Microsoft's AI tool be used? But the patent claims it can be of help in several scenarios. People can personalise what they are watching, such as in terms of language. They can also remove sounds of gasping, like oohs and aahs, stutters and other such issues. The wider possible cases include removing terms that have been coined, "personal words or phrases", “colloquial terms", etc. The AI tool can also remove "mumbled words, mispronounced words, misused words, misspoken words, offensive words, insensitive words, or inappropriate words," replacing them with words it would search on the internet. Microsoft has not commented on the patent. However, the tool is sure to change how people interact with live videos. They will have the choice to turn off something they don't like. You can tailor the speech to fit your requirements, including the words you want removed, such as those associated with a dialect. Even though the patent claims the AI tool can deliver several benefits, there is no doubt about the potential for misuse. Altering what a speaker is originally saying can be used to spread misinformation. Bad actors might edit out speeches on important matters, which can lead to unrest.

<p>Microsoft has come up with a technology where live speeches can be edited, words removed, replaced and removed altogether. The AI tool can also edit the video to fit the changes in a way that the speaker's mouth movements match them exactly.</p>

Microsoft AI tool changes live words and shapes lips to match

Microsoft has offered voluntary exit packages to around 60,000 employees across participating teams in India, the United States, Britain and Canada, as it invests heavily in artificial intelligence. Meanwhile, Anthropic's IPO filing warns that advanced AI could pose catastrophic or existential risks to humanity, citing concerns about increasingly difficult oversight, behaviour resembling blackmail and unauthorised access observed during security evaluations. The two developments expose different sides of the AI revolution: the immediate challenge of changing jobs and the longer-term challenge of keeping powerful systems safe. As AI reshapes the world, the BIG question is whether businesses and governments can manage the consequences before the technology outpaces their ability to respond.


Tech massacre: Microsoft cuts 60,000 roles while Anthropic flags extinction

<p>Microsoft is reportedly offering voluntary exit packages to around 60,000 employees, giving eligible workers the option to leave the company with financial support as the technology giant adapts its workforce for an AI-driven future.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The programme reportedly covers staff in India, the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada, including employees at vice president level and below. Unlike compulsory layoffs, the scheme allows eligible employees to decide whether they want to leave.</p><p>The move comes as Microsoft continues investing heavily in artificial intelligence (AI), data centres and computing infrastructure. However, the company has not said the buyout programme is solely a response to AI spending.</p><h2><strong>Why is Microsoft offering buyouts to 60,000 employees?</strong></h2><p>According to reports by Bloomberg, Microsoft wants to give employees who are considering a future outside the company another option, while allowing business divisions to adjust staffing levels as their needs change. Chief People Officer Amy Coleman reportedly told employees that the offer provides support for those considering leaving and gives participating teams another way to adapt their workforce.</p><p>Microsoft had 223,000 full-time employees worldwide as of June 2026. Its workforce has remained broadly stable since 2022, around the time the company began expanding its AI investments. The latest programme could allow Microsoft to change its workforce without relying entirely on compulsory job cuts. The company has not announced a target for how many employees it expects to accept the offer.</p><h2><strong>Which Microsoft teams could be affected?</strong></h2><p>Reports indicate that employees in divisions including Xbox, Windows, Copilot and finance could be eligible, depending on their role and participating team. Some workers are reportedly excluded, including employees in data centres, sales, marketing, cybersecurity and quantum computing. The programme is expected to cover eligible employees in India, the US, the UK and Canada, with eligibility extending to vice president level and below. Individual eligibility will depend on the company's final programme details. Employees should therefore check the official communication from Microsoft rather than assume that every worker in an included division qualifies.</p><h2><strong>How does Microsoft’s AI push fit into the plan?</strong></h2><p>Microsoft is spending heavily on the infrastructure needed to develop and run AI services. That includes data centres, advanced chips and computing capacity supporting its own products and external AI customers. The company is also competing in a fast-moving market where AI tools such as Copilot are becoming a larger part of its product strategy. The buyout programme highlights a wider challenge for major technology companies: adapting their workforce while investing in expensive new technologies. For employees, the offer could provide a supported route out of the company. For Microsoft, it offers another way to adjust staffing as business priorities change. Whether the programme leads to a significant reduction in headcount will depend on how many eligible employees choose to accept it.</p>

Microsoft is reportedly offering voluntary buyouts to around 60,000 employees in India, the US, the UK and Canada. The programme allows eligible staff to leave with financial support as the company adapts its workforce amid growing investment in AI and data centres.

Microsoft is reportedly offering voluntary exit packages to around 60,000 employees, giving eligible workers the option to leave the company with financial support as the technology giant adapts its workforce for an AI-driven future. The programme reportedly covers staff in India, the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada, including employees at vice president level and below. Unlike compulsory layoffs, the scheme allows eligible employees to decide whether they want to leave. The move comes as Microsoft continues investing heavily in artificial intelligence (AI), data centres and computing infrastructure. However, the company has not said the buyout programme is solely a response to AI spending. Why is Microsoft offering buyouts to 60,000 employees? According to reports by Bloomberg, Microsoft wants to give employees who are considering a future outside the company another option, while allowing business divisions to adjust staffing levels as their needs change. Chief People Officer Amy Coleman reportedly told employees that the offer provides support for those considering leaving and gives participating teams another way to adapt their workforce. Microsoft had 223,000 full-time employees worldwide as of June 2026. Its workforce has remained broadly stable since 2022, around the time the company began expanding its AI investments. The latest programme could allow Microsoft to change its workforce without relying entirely on compulsory job cuts. The company has not announced a target for how many employees it expects to accept the offer. Which Microsoft teams could be affected? Reports indicate that employees in divisions including Xbox, Windows, Copilot and finance could be eligible, depending on their role and participating team. Some workers are reportedly excluded, including employees in data centres, sales, marketing, cybersecurity and quantum computing. The programme is expected to cover eligible employees in India, the US, the UK and Canada, with eligibility extending to vice president level and below. Individual eligibility will depend on the company's final programme details. Employees should therefore check the official communication from Microsoft rather than assume that every worker in an included division qualifies. How does Microsoft’s AI push fit into the plan? Microsoft is spending heavily on the infrastructure needed to develop and run AI services. That includes data centres, advanced chips and computing capacity supporting its own products and external AI customers. The company is also competing in a fast-moving market where AI tools such as Copilot are becoming a larger part of its product strategy. The buyout programme highlights a wider challenge for major technology companies: adapting their workforce while investing in expensive new technologies. For employees, the offer could provide a supported route out of the company. For Microsoft, it offers another way to adjust staffing as business priorities change. Whether the programme leads to a significant reduction in headcount will depend on how many eligible employees choose to accept it.

<p>Microsoft is reportedly offering voluntary buyouts to around 60,000 employees in India, the US, the UK and Canada. The programme allows eligible staff to leave with financial support as the company adapts its workforce amid growing investment in AI and data centres.</p>

The money going into AI data centres has to come from somewhere: What Microsoft’s buyout plan reveals

Microsoft is planning a massive $175 billion investment in artificial intelligence in 2026, underscoring the tech giant's growing ambitions in the global AI race. The spending is expected to support AI infrastructure, data centres, cloud computing and advanced computing capabilities as demand for AI services continues to rise.


Microsoft plans $175 billion AI spending in 2026

<p>Microsoft has offered voluntary exit packages to around 60,000 employees, giving more than a quarter of its global workforce the option to leave the company with support. The programme covers eligible staff in India, the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada, as the technology giant looks to control costs while investing heavily in artificial intelligence (AI).</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The offer is voluntary, meaning it does not confirm that 60,000 jobs will be cut. Microsoft had 223,000 full-time employees worldwide as of June 30, 2026. The move comes as the company prepares for another major year of spending on AI chips, data centres and computing infrastructure.</p><h2><strong>Who is eligible for Microsoft’s voluntary exit offer?</strong></h2><p>Microsoft said the programme is available to eligible employees in participating teams in India, the US, the UK and Canada at experience level 70 and below. According to reports, employees will have until December to decide whether to accept the offer. Those who choose to leave are expected to depart on December 31.</p><p>Microsoft Chief People Officer Amy Coleman said in an internal memo that the programme gives eligible employees who are considering a future outside the company another option, while helping teams adapt to changing business needs. Not every team is included. According to a person familiar with the matter, some marketing, commercial business and security teams are excluded from the offer.</p><p>The company has not set a target for how many employees it expects to accept the package.</p><h2><strong>Why is Microsoft offering buyouts as AI spending rises?</strong></h2><p>The programme comes as Microsoft forecasts $175 billion in capital expenditure for 2026, reflecting the cost of expanding its AI infrastructure. Microsoft provides cloud computing services to AI companies, including OpenAI and Anthropic, and is investing in the data centres and chips needed to meet growing demand. That spending has drawn investor attention, with questions about whether future AI revenue will justify the cost of building and operating the infrastructure.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Microsoft's latest employee offer provides another way to adjust its workforce as its business needs change. However, the company has not said that the buyout programme alone will fund its AI investments.</p><h2><strong>Microsoft’s latest move follows earlier workforce changes</strong></h2><p>This is not the company's first workforce adjustment in 2026. Microsoft previously offered voluntary retirement packages to around 7% of its US workforce. In July, it also announced plans to cut 4,800 jobs as it restructured parts of its Xbox gaming business. The latest offer comes as investors prepare to assess Microsoft's financial performance. The company is scheduled to report quarterly results on Wednesday, providing a fresh look at its spending and cash flow. For employees, the key point is that the offer creates an option to leave rather than announcing a compulsory departure. For investors, it highlights the balancing act facing major technology companies: funding the AI race while managing costs across their existing businesses.</p>

Microsoft is offering voluntary exit packages to around 60,000 employees in India, the US, the UK and Canada. The programme comes as the company forecasts $175 billion in capital expenditure for 2026 to expand AI infrastructure and data centre capacity.

Microsoft has offered voluntary exit packages to around 60,000 employees, giving more than a quarter of its global workforce the option to leave the company with support. The programme covers eligible staff in India, the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada, as the technology giant looks to control costs while investing heavily in artificial intelligence (AI). The offer is voluntary, meaning it does not confirm that 60,000 jobs will be cut. Microsoft had 223,000 full-time employees worldwide as of June 30, 2026. The move comes as the company prepares for another major year of spending on AI chips, data centres and computing infrastructure. Who is eligible for Microsoft’s voluntary exit offer? Microsoft said the programme is available to eligible employees in participating teams in India, the US, the UK and Canada at experience level 70 and below. According to reports, employees will have until December to decide whether to accept the offer. Those who choose to leave are expected to depart on December 31. Microsoft Chief People Officer Amy Coleman said in an internal memo that the programme gives eligible employees who are considering a future outside the company another option, while helping teams adapt to changing business needs. Not every team is included. According to a person familiar with the matter, some marketing, commercial business and security teams are excluded from the offer. The company has not set a target for how many employees it expects to accept the package. Why is Microsoft offering buyouts as AI spending rises? The programme comes as Microsoft forecasts $175 billion in capital expenditure for 2026, reflecting the cost of expanding its AI infrastructure. Microsoft provides cloud computing services to AI companies, including OpenAI and Anthropic, and is investing in the data centres and chips needed to meet growing demand. That spending has drawn investor attention, with questions about whether future AI revenue will justify the cost of building and operating the infrastructure. Microsoft's latest employee offer provides another way to adjust its workforce as its business needs change. However, the company has not said that the buyout programme alone will fund its AI investments. Microsoft’s latest move follows earlier workforce changes This is not the company's first workforce adjustment in 2026. Microsoft previously offered voluntary retirement packages to around 7% of its US workforce. In July, it also announced plans to cut 4,800 jobs as it restructured parts of its Xbox gaming business. The latest offer comes as investors prepare to assess Microsoft's financial performance. The company is scheduled to report quarterly results on Wednesday, providing a fresh look at its spending and cash flow. For employees, the key point is that the offer creates an option to leave rather than announcing a compulsory departure. For investors, it highlights the balancing act facing major technology companies: funding the AI race while managing costs across their existing businesses.

<p>Microsoft is offering voluntary exit packages to around 60,000 employees across India, the US, the UK and Canada. The programme comes as the company forecasts $175 billion in capital expenditure for 2026 to expand its AI infrastructure and data centre capacity.</p>

Microsoft offers voluntary exit packages to 60,000 employees in India, US, UK and Canada

<p>Microsoft has warned that a China-aligned hacking group used artificial intelligence to speed up cyberattacks against organisations worldwide, automating tasks that would traditionally require significant human effort.</p><p>The technology company identified the group as Storm-0940, which allegedly used an AI-powered security testing framework called ARTEX to target cloud systems. Following a supply-chain compromise linked to IT services provider ConnectWise, the attackers attempted to access more than 2,250 customer environments, with activity reaching around 2,900 sign-in attempts per minute, Microsoft reported.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>However, Microsoft said most attempts were unsuccessful. It also cautioned that suspicious sign-in activity does not automatically mean customer data was stolen.</p><h2><strong>How Did Hackers Use AI To Accelerate Attacks?</strong></h2><p>According to Microsoft, Storm-0940 used ARTEX to automate activities such as scanning systems, identifying potential targets and testing passwords. The group allegedly used the framework to abuse applications that already had permission to access target environments. This allowed attackers to attempt authentication without requiring an interactive sign-in by a user.</p><p>Microsoft said the approach accelerated access attempts against Microsoft 365 customer environments. In some cases, attackers reportedly obtained privileged cloud access in less than three hours. The findings highlight how AI-powered tools can increase the speed and scale of cyberattacks. They do not, however, mean that every targeted organisation was successfully compromised.</p><h2><strong>What Is ARTEX And Why Is It A Concern?</strong></h2><p>ARTEX is described as an open-source framework that uses AI models to automate security testing. Such tools can help legitimate security teams identify weaknesses and test defences. The same capabilities can also be misused. AI agents can perform multiple tasks simultaneously, allowing attackers to scan systems and test access methods across many targets in less time.</p><p>Microsoft said Storm-0940 used ARTEX to accelerate its operations. The company linked the campaign to a supply-chain compromise involving ConnectWise, whose IT management and cloud backup services are used by organisations.</p><p>A supply-chain incident can have a wider impact because a compromise involving a service provider may expose multiple customer environments to risk.</p><h2><strong>What Should Organisations Do To Stay Safe?</strong></h2><p>Microsoft has advised organisations to review cloud accounts for suspicious sign-ins and unexpected changes to application credentials or access permissions.</p><p>Security teams should also examine application access, investigate unusual authentication activity and remove unnecessary permissions. Organisations should ensure that compromised credentials are revoked and that affected systems are investigated before being considered secure. The key concern is not simply that hackers are using AI. It is that automation can help them move faster, target more organisations and exploit existing access before defenders can respond.</p>

Microsoft says China-aligned hackers used AI framework ARTEX to accelerate cyberattacks, attempting to access more than 2,250 customer environments after a ConnectWise-related incident. Activity reportedly reached 2,900 sign-in attempts per minute, although most attempts were unsuccessful.

Microsoft has warned that a China-aligned hacking group used artificial intelligence to speed up cyberattacks against organisations worldwide, automating tasks that would traditionally require significant human effort. The technology company identified the group as Storm-0940, which allegedly used an AI-powered security testing framework called ARTEX to target cloud systems. Following a supply-chain compromise linked to IT services provider ConnectWise, the attackers attempted to access more than 2,250 customer environments, with activity reaching around 2,900 sign-in attempts per minute, Microsoft reported. However, Microsoft said most attempts were unsuccessful. It also cautioned that suspicious sign-in activity does not automatically mean customer data was stolen. How Did Hackers Use AI To Accelerate Attacks? According to Microsoft, Storm-0940 used ARTEX to automate activities such as scanning systems, identifying potential targets and testing passwords. The group allegedly used the framework to abuse applications that already had permission to access target environments. This allowed attackers to attempt authentication without requiring an interactive sign-in by a user. Microsoft said the approach accelerated access attempts against Microsoft 365 customer environments. In some cases, attackers reportedly obtained privileged cloud access in less than three hours. The findings highlight how AI-powered tools can increase the speed and scale of cyberattacks. They do not, however, mean that every targeted organisation was successfully compromised. What Is ARTEX And Why Is It A Concern? ARTEX is described as an open-source framework that uses AI models to automate security testing. Such tools can help legitimate security teams identify weaknesses and test defences. The same capabilities can also be misused. AI agents can perform multiple tasks simultaneously, allowing attackers to scan systems and test access methods across many targets in less time. Microsoft said Storm-0940 used ARTEX to accelerate its operations. The company linked the campaign to a supply-chain compromise involving ConnectWise, whose IT management and cloud backup services are used by organisations. A supply-chain incident can have a wider impact because a compromise involving a service provider may expose multiple customer environments to risk. What Should Organisations Do To Stay Safe? Microsoft has advised organisations to review cloud accounts for suspicious sign-ins and unexpected changes to application credentials or access permissions. Security teams should also examine application access, investigate unusual authentication activity and remove unnecessary permissions. Organisations should ensure that compromised credentials are revoked and that affected systems are investigated before being considered secure. The key concern is not simply that hackers are using AI. It is that automation can help them move faster, target more organisations and exploit existing access before defenders can respond.

<p>Microsoft says a China-aligned hacking group used an AI-powered framework to accelerate cyberattacks against organisations worldwide. The campaign involved more than 2,250 attempted sign-ins to customer environments following a ConnectWise-related incident, with activity reaching around 2,900 attempts per minute.</p>

Microsoft warns that China-linked hackers used AI to speed up cyberattacks: Here's how to stay safe

<p>Microsoft President Brad Smith has called for urgent regulation of artificial intelligence, warning that AI companies need stronger legal obligations as the technology creates new cybersecurity risks. He argues that everyday products such as milk and washing machines face more oversight than AI systems, despite the risks posed by increasingly capable models. Speaking on a BBC podcast, Smith described AI as both a “weapon and a tool” and said the “moment has arrived” to establish global safety rules. He also argued that the UK is well placed to lead the effort, while stressing that voluntary industry commitments do not go far enough.</p><h2><strong>Why does Microsoft want stricter AI rules?</strong></h2><p>Smith said voluntary safety measures are likely to be followed by responsible companies, but may fail to restrain less responsible developers.</p><p>“It’s the companies that are not as responsible that you need to worry about,” he said.</p><p>His comments come amid concerns about AI agents that can use digital tools and take actions with limited human involvement. Recent incidents involving agents behaving in unexpected ways have added urgency to debates over how AI systems should be tested and controlled. Smith backed several possible safeguards, including a legal duty for organisations to report breaches involving rogue AI agents. He also spoke positively about independent evaluators checking AI systems before release and about emergency controls that could pause or slow a system if humans lose control.</p><h2><strong>Why does Smith want the UK to lead AI safety?</strong></h2><p>Smith argued that Britain could help build international agreement on AI safety because it may be less politically contentious in Washington than the European Union.</p><p>“In Washington, D.C., people don’t look at the U.K. and they don’t look at London the way they look at Brussels,” he told the BBC.</p><p>The UK’s AI Security Institute, launched in 2023, has access to advanced models from major US AI laboratories for testing before deployment. Its role has faced uncertainty amid reported pressure from US President Donald Trump over cooperation with British testers. However, the institute confirmed on Monday that it could access and test the latest models.</p><h2><strong>Are voluntary AI safety pledges enough?</strong></h2><p>Last month, Trump hosted technology leaders from companies including OpenAI, Anthropic, Nvidia, AMD, SpaceX, Meta and Google at the White House. Participants signed a “morally binding” document committing to work with independent auditors to assess their AI models’ safety and capabilities.</p><p>Smith described the agreement as a positive step, but said it was not a substitute for enforceable regulation.</p><p>His position reflects a wider debate over whether AI developers can adequately police themselves as their systems become more powerful. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman have also raised concerns about the pace of AI development.</p><p>For businesses and the public, the stakes include how quickly security incidents are reported, whether independent experts can examine advanced systems and whether a dangerous AI operation can be stopped in time. Smith called for countries and companies to work together calmly but firmly. The central challenge, however, remains turning broad safety commitments into rules that can be enforced.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

Microsoft President Brad Smith has urged urgent AI regulation, calling for breach reporting, independent safety checks and emergency controls. He says voluntary pledges are insufficient and argues the UK could help lead international efforts to make advanced AI systems safer.

Microsoft President Brad Smith has called for urgent regulation of artificial intelligence, warning that AI companies need stronger legal obligations as the technology creates new cybersecurity risks. He argues that everyday products such as milk and washing machines face more oversight than AI systems, despite the risks posed by increasingly capable models. Speaking on a BBC podcast, Smith described AI as both a “weapon and a tool” and said the “moment has arrived” to establish global safety rules. He also argued that the UK is well placed to lead the effort, while stressing that voluntary industry commitments do not go far enough. Why does Microsoft want stricter AI rules? Smith said voluntary safety measures are likely to be followed by responsible companies, but may fail to restrain less responsible developers. “It’s the companies that are not as responsible that you need to worry about,” he said. His comments come amid concerns about AI agents that can use digital tools and take actions with limited human involvement. Recent incidents involving agents behaving in unexpected ways have added urgency to debates over how AI systems should be tested and controlled. Smith backed several possible safeguards, including a legal duty for organisations to report breaches involving rogue AI agents. He also spoke positively about independent evaluators checking AI systems before release and about emergency controls that could pause or slow a system if humans lose control. Why does Smith want the UK to lead AI safety? Smith argued that Britain could help build international agreement on AI safety because it may be less politically contentious in Washington than the European Union. “In Washington, D.C., people don’t look at the U.K. and they don’t look at London the way they look at Brussels,” he told the BBC. The UK’s AI Security Institute, launched in 2023, has access to advanced models from major US AI laboratories for testing before deployment. Its role has faced uncertainty amid reported pressure from US President Donald Trump over cooperation with British testers. However, the institute confirmed on Monday that it could access and test the latest models. Are voluntary AI safety pledges enough? Last month, Trump hosted technology leaders from companies including OpenAI, Anthropic, Nvidia, AMD, SpaceX, Meta and Google at the White House. Participants signed a “morally binding” document committing to work with independent auditors to assess their AI models’ safety and capabilities. Smith described the agreement as a positive step, but said it was not a substitute for enforceable regulation. His position reflects a wider debate over whether AI developers can adequately police themselves as their systems become more powerful. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman have also raised concerns about the pace of AI development. For businesses and the public, the stakes include how quickly security incidents are reported, whether independent experts can examine advanced systems and whether a dangerous AI operation can be stopped in time. Smith called for countries and companies to work together calmly but firmly. The central challenge, however, remains turning broad safety commitments into rules that can be enforced.

<p>Microsoft President Brad Smith has urged urgent AI regulation, calling for breach reporting, independent safety checks and emergency controls. He says voluntary pledges are insufficient and argues the UK could help lead international efforts to make advanced AI systems safer.</p>

Microsoft says AI companies need tougher safety rules as rogue agent risks grow

<p>Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has called for an “emergency brake” for advanced artificial intelligence models, arguing that companies need stronger controls to prevent systems from operating without effective human oversight. In a post on X on Saturday, Nadella said it was time to reassess the “trust architecture” of AI. His proposal includes separating AI models from the systems that manage their actions, recording their decisions in tamper-proof logs and ensuring authorised people can stop a model while it is working. The comments come as AI companies face growing questions about the behaviour of advanced systems and how to keep them under human control.</p><h2><strong>What does Nadella mean by an AI ‘emergency brake’?</strong></h2><p>Nadella argued that powerful AI systems should not be treated as black boxes whose recommendations and actions are simply accepted or rejected.</p><p>Instead, he called for a design that separates the AI model from the software framework, or “harness”, that directs its work. This would help make the controls around a model more independent of the model itself. He also said companies should assume a model could be compromised and build safeguards to contain it from the start.</p><p>The central idea is that an AI system should not be able to continue carrying out a task without an effective way for authorised humans to intervene.</p><h2><strong>Four safeguards Microsoft’s CEO wants for AI</strong></h2><p>Nadella’s comments point to four key measures for improving AI oversight:</p><p>- Separate controls: Keep the model distinct from the system that coordinates its work.</p><p>- External safeguards: Place controls outside the model rather than relying solely on its own behaviour.</p><p>- Tamper-proof records: Document every meaningful action in evidence that humans can read and verify.</p><p>- Human shutdown authority: Allow an authorised person to pause or shut down a model during a task.</p><p>Together, these measures aim to make AI systems easier to monitor and interrupt when something goes wrong.</p><h2><strong>Why is AI safety back in focus?</strong></h2><p>Nadella’s remarks come as leading AI companies acknowledge incidents that have raised questions about their ability to control model behaviour. They also follow Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei’s publication of a plan for a more cautious approach to AI development. As AI systems take on more complex tasks, the challenge extends beyond whether they can produce accurate answers. Companies must also consider what actions systems can take, how those actions are monitored and whether people can intervene quickly. Nadella’s proposal does not mean that a universal emergency-stop system has been developed or adopted across the industry. It sets out a direction for how AI systems could be designed and governed. The broader issue is whether technical safeguards can keep pace with increasingly capable models. For businesses deploying AI, the ability to inspect actions, limit permissions and stop a system could become as important as the system’s performance.</p>

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella says advanced AI models need an “emergency brake”, calling for human-controlled shutdowns, tamper-proof action records and safeguards outside the model. His comments come amid growing scrutiny of AI behaviour and system oversight.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has called for an “emergency brake” for advanced artificial intelligence models, arguing that companies need stronger controls to prevent systems from operating without effective human oversight. In a post on X on Saturday, Nadella said it was time to reassess the “trust architecture” of AI. His proposal includes separating AI models from the systems that manage their actions, recording their decisions in tamper-proof logs and ensuring authorised people can stop a model while it is working. The comments come as AI companies face growing questions about the behaviour of advanced systems and how to keep them under human control. What does Nadella mean by an AI ‘emergency brake’? Nadella argued that powerful AI systems should not be treated as black boxes whose recommendations and actions are simply accepted or rejected. Instead, he called for a design that separates the AI model from the software framework, or “harness”, that directs its work. This would help make the controls around a model more independent of the model itself. He also said companies should assume a model could be compromised and build safeguards to contain it from the start. The central idea is that an AI system should not be able to continue carrying out a task without an effective way for authorised humans to intervene. Four safeguards Microsoft’s CEO wants for AI Nadella’s comments point to four key measures for improving AI oversight: - Separate controls: Keep the model distinct from the system that coordinates its work. - External safeguards: Place controls outside the model rather than relying solely on its own behaviour. - Tamper-proof records: Document every meaningful action in evidence that humans can read and verify. - Human shutdown authority: Allow an authorised person to pause or shut down a model during a task. Together, these measures aim to make AI systems easier to monitor and interrupt when something goes wrong. Why is AI safety back in focus? Nadella’s remarks come as leading AI companies acknowledge incidents that have raised questions about their ability to control model behaviour. They also follow Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei’s publication of a plan for a more cautious approach to AI development. As AI systems take on more complex tasks, the challenge extends beyond whether they can produce accurate answers. Companies must also consider what actions systems can take, how those actions are monitored and whether people can intervene quickly. Nadella’s proposal does not mean that a universal emergency-stop system has been developed or adopted across the industry. It sets out a direction for how AI systems could be designed and governed. The broader issue is whether technical safeguards can keep pace with increasingly capable models. For businesses deploying AI, the ability to inspect actions, limit permissions and stop a system could become as important as the system’s performance.

<p>Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella says advanced AI models need an “emergency brake”, calling for human-controlled shutdowns, tamper-proof action records and safeguards outside the model. His comments come amid growing scrutiny of AI behaviour and system oversight.</p>

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella says AI models need an ‘emergency brake’ to prevent loss of control

<p>On a day when Microsoft faced scrutiny over its immigration practices, CEO Satya Nadella was being honoured at the White House for his contributions to America's technology industry. US President Donald Trump presented Nadella with the National Medal of Technology and Innovation during the ‘A New Golden Age’ summit at the US Institute of Peace in Washington, DC. Trump praised Nadella's more than three decades at Microsoft, highlighting his role in transforming the company and advancing its technology.</p><h2>Trump praises Nadella's Microsoft journey</h2><p>During the ceremony, Trump highlighted Nadella's long career at Microsoft and credited him with helping reshape the technology giant. Before taking over as CEO in 2014, Nadella led several key divisions, including business services, research and development, and cloud computing. Microsoft's cloud platform subsequently became a critical foundation for products and services used by billions of people around the world.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Trump also recognised Nadella's efforts to expand Microsoft's presence in artificial intelligence and what he described as ‘super intelligence’. "Satya, we are honored to give you the National Medal of Technology and Innovation. It is so well deserved congratulations," Trump said. Nadella was among several prominent technology executives recognised at the White House ceremony. Trump also presented the National Medal of Science to SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, Google co-founder Sergey Brin, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and Advanced Micro Devices CEO Lisa Su.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Also Read: </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/flydubai-flight-attack-indian-pilot-smit-machchhar-to-receive-israel-s-highest-civilian-bravery-award-for-saving-174-lives-1791499075978"><strong>Flydubai flight attack: Indian pilot Smit Machchhar to receive Israel's highest civilian bravery award for saving 174 lives</strong></a></p><h2>Watch the video here</h2>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.@POTUS: &quot;For more than three decades, @satyanadella has been a key figure in the transformation of Microsoft — revolutionizing the company and empowering businesses, students, and consumers from all over the world with some of the most capable software ever built.&quot; https://t.co/SMN4Dn0ODZ</p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://x.com/RapidResponse47/status/2108257009304822202?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 8, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Immigrant tech leaders honoured at the White House</h2><p>The ceremony also highlighted the contributions of immigrant leaders to America's technology sector. Five of the six technology executives being honoured are immigrants. Musk was born in South Africa, Brin in Russia, while Huang and Su were born in Taiwan. Nadella moved to the United States from India.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Trump also presented the National Medal of Technology and Innovation to Dell Technologies CEO Michael Dell, who was born in Texas. The recognition comes as Microsoft faces scrutiny over its immigration practices, placing the spotlight on the broader role of foreign-born professionals in the American technology industry. Nadella's award recognises his decades-long career at Microsoft, where he has overseen the company's evolution across cloud computing, enterprise software and artificial intelligence.</p>

Trump presents Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella with the National Medal of Technology and Innovation, recognising his leadership and technology contributions

On a day when Microsoft faced scrutiny over its immigration practices, CEO Satya Nadella was being honoured at the White House for his contributions to America's technology industry. US President Donald Trump presented Nadella with the National Medal of Technology and Innovation during the ‘A New Golden Age’ summit at the US Institute of Peace in Washington, DC. Trump praised Nadella's more than three decades at Microsoft, highlighting his role in transforming the company and advancing its technology. Trump praises Nadella's Microsoft journey During the ceremony, Trump highlighted Nadella's long career at Microsoft and credited him with helping reshape the technology giant. Before taking over as CEO in 2014, Nadella led several key divisions, including business services, research and development, and cloud computing. Microsoft's cloud platform subsequently became a critical foundation for products and services used by billions of people around the world. Trump also recognised Nadella's efforts to expand Microsoft's presence in artificial intelligence and what he described as ‘super intelligence’. "Satya, we are honored to give you the National Medal of Technology and Innovation. It is so well deserved congratulations," Trump said. Nadella was among several prominent technology executives recognised at the White House ceremony. Trump also presented the National Medal of Science to SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, Google co-founder Sergey Brin, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and Advanced Micro Devices CEO Lisa Su. Also Read: Flydubai flight attack: Indian pilot Smit Machchhar to receive Israel's highest civilian bravery award for saving 174 lives Watch the video here

<p>Trump honours Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella with a top technology award, recognising his leadership and contributions to America's technology industry</p>

Trump honours Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella with top technology honour amid immigration scrutiny

<p>Microsoft has unveiled its Surface Laptop Ultra, a new 15-inch Windows laptop designed to combine local AI, gaming and professional graphics performance in a relatively thin machine. Developed with NVIDIA, the laptop uses the new RTX Spark N1X platform, pairing an NVIDIA Grace CPU with a Blackwell RTX GPU and up to 128GB of unified memory.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The Surface Laptop Ultra starts at $2,599.99, with the higher-end version priced at $3,699.99. Pre-orders begin on October 16, although Microsoft has not yet announced an India price or launch date.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h2><strong>Surface Laptop Ultra gets serious hardware</strong></h2><p>Microsoft is offering the laptop with either an 18-core or 20-core NVIDIA Grace CPU, paired with a Blackwell GPU featuring up to 6,144 cores. It can be configured with up to 128GB of LPDDR5X unified memory, giving it considerably more memory capacity than a typical thin-and-light laptop. The 15-inch PixelSense Ultra touchscreen has a 3:2 aspect ratio, 3270 x 2180 resolution, 120Hz dynamic refresh rate and 100 per cent DCI-P3 coverage. Microsoft has also included HDMI 2.1b, an SD card reader, USB-C, USB-A and a headphone jack. The laptop weighs around 2kg and is less than 18mm thick.</p><h2><strong>Built for AI, gaming and creative work</strong></h2><p>The hardware is designed for workloads such as AI development, 3D work, video editing and gaming. Microsoft says its redesigned cooling system provides up to 2.5 times the thermal capacity of its 15-inch Surface Laptop. Battery estimates are up to 15 hours of local video playback and up to 12 hours of active web use. NVIDIA says RTX Spark can run AI models with up to 120 billion parameters locally, while supporting its CUDA and TensorRT software ecosystem. The combination is particularly notable for gaming. ARM-based Windows laptops and Apple silicon Macs have made major gains in efficiency, but high-end gaming remains a different challenge. RTX graphics give Microsoft's machine a stronger focus on both gaming and professional GPU workloads.</p><h2><strong>Is this Microsoft's MacBook Pro rival?</strong></h2><p>The Surface Laptop Ultra clearly enters the same premium territory as Apple's MacBook Pro. Microsoft's machine combines a premium metal design, high-resolution display and large haptic touchpad with NVIDIA graphics hardware designed for demanding workloads. Apple's MacBook Pro starts at Rs 2,39,900 in India, while the 14-inch M5 Pro model starts at Rs 2,49,900, putting the two product lines in a similar premium segment. The bigger difference is what they prioritise. Microsoft's Surface Laptop Ultra is targeting users who want local AI, professional graphics and gaming in one Windows machine. Alongside the laptop, NVIDIA also previewed the DGX Station for Windows, a deskside AI system using the GB300 Grace Blackwell Ultra Desktop Superchip. It offers 748GB of coherent memory and up to 20 petaflops of FP4 AI performance, aimed at enterprise teams running large AI models locally.</p>

Microsoft has unveiled the Surface Laptop Ultra with NVIDIA’s RTX Spark platform, Blackwell graphics and up to 128GB of unified memory. Starting at $2,599.99, the laptop targets AI developers, gamers and creative professionals and takes direct aim at Apple’s MacBook Pro.

Microsoft has unveiled its Surface Laptop Ultra, a new 15-inch Windows laptop designed to combine local AI, gaming and professional graphics performance in a relatively thin machine. Developed with NVIDIA, the laptop uses the new RTX Spark N1X platform, pairing an NVIDIA Grace CPU with a Blackwell RTX GPU and up to 128GB of unified memory. The Surface Laptop Ultra starts at $2,599.99, with the higher-end version priced at $3,699.99. Pre-orders begin on October 16, although Microsoft has not yet announced an India price or launch date. Surface Laptop Ultra gets serious hardware Microsoft is offering the laptop with either an 18-core or 20-core NVIDIA Grace CPU, paired with a Blackwell GPU featuring up to 6,144 cores. It can be configured with up to 128GB of LPDDR5X unified memory, giving it considerably more memory capacity than a typical thin-and-light laptop. The 15-inch PixelSense Ultra touchscreen has a 3:2 aspect ratio, 3270 x 2180 resolution, 120Hz dynamic refresh rate and 100 per cent DCI-P3 coverage. Microsoft has also included HDMI 2.1b, an SD card reader, USB-C, USB-A and a headphone jack. The laptop weighs around 2kg and is less than 18mm thick. Built for AI, gaming and creative work The hardware is designed for workloads such as AI development, 3D work, video editing and gaming. Microsoft says its redesigned cooling system provides up to 2.5 times the thermal capacity of its 15-inch Surface Laptop. Battery estimates are up to 15 hours of local video playback and up to 12 hours of active web use. NVIDIA says RTX Spark can run AI models with up to 120 billion parameters locally, while supporting its CUDA and TensorRT software ecosystem. The combination is particularly notable for gaming. ARM-based Windows laptops and Apple silicon Macs have made major gains in efficiency, but high-end gaming remains a different challenge. RTX graphics give Microsoft's machine a stronger focus on both gaming and professional GPU workloads. Is this Microsoft's MacBook Pro rival? The Surface Laptop Ultra clearly enters the same premium territory as Apple's MacBook Pro. Microsoft's machine combines a premium metal design, high-resolution display and large haptic touchpad with NVIDIA graphics hardware designed for demanding workloads. Apple's MacBook Pro starts at Rs 2,39,900 in India, while the 14-inch M5 Pro model starts at Rs 2,49,900, putting the two product lines in a similar premium segment. The bigger difference is what they prioritise. Microsoft's Surface Laptop Ultra is targeting users who want local AI, professional graphics and gaming in one Windows machine. Alongside the laptop, NVIDIA also previewed the DGX Station for Windows, a deskside AI system using the GB300 Grace Blackwell Ultra Desktop Superchip. It offers 748GB of coherent memory and up to 20 petaflops of FP4 AI performance, aimed at enterprise teams running large AI models locally.

<p>Microsoft has unveiled the Surface Laptop Ultra with NVIDIA’s RTX Spark platform, Blackwell graphics and up to 128GB of unified memory. Starting at $2,599.99, the laptop targets AI developers, gamers and creative professionals and takes direct aim at Apple’s MacBook Pro.</p>

Microsoft unveils Surface Laptop Ultra with NVIDIA RTX power: is this its MacBook Pro rival?

<p>A Microsoft executive once described the mass collection of online content to train artificial intelligence as the “largest theft of labour in human history”, according to newly unsealed court documents.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The comments were made by Brent Hecht, Microsoft’s director of applied science, in internal documents that have emerged in the copyright battle between The New York Times, Microsoft and OpenAI. Hecht warned that millions of people could see AI systems “hoovering up” their work as an unprecedented form of theft.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The disclosure is significant because Microsoft and OpenAI are defending their use of copyrighted material to train AI models, arguing that the practice can qualify as fair use under US copyright law. Microsoft has stressed that Hecht’s comments represented his individual perspective and were not the company's legal position.</p><h2><strong>Why did Microsoft executive raise the alarm?</strong></h2><p>In a 2023 internal document, Hecht wrote that content creators had generally not intended for their work to be used in this way and were not being compensated for it.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h2><strong>He also warned of a potential “doom loop”.</strong></h2><p>The concern was simple: AI models depend on a constant supply of high-quality information from the internet. But if AI products reduce the money publishers and other creators make, fewer people may be able to produce the original work that future AI systems depend on. In another Microsoft document, Hecht reportedly described the situation as one in which an AI product could threaten the economic foundations of its own “content supply chain”.</p><h2><strong>Chatbots could also take readers away from news websites</strong></h2><p>The documents reveal another problem for publishers. ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot can provide information directly to users, potentially reducing the need to visit the original websites.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Microsoft data cited in the court filings showed that click-through rates to The New York Times and Daily News were 83 to 93 per cent lower on Copilot's “answer engine” than on traditional Bing Search.</p><p>OpenAI's head of ChatGPT, Nick Turley, also described AI products as “largely substitutive” and said they would become increasingly so as the technology improved. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella acknowledged in a deposition that chatbots can effectively give users information on an AI platform instead of sending them to the underlying website.</p><h2><strong>The bigger battle over AI and copyright</strong></h2><p>The New York Times sued Microsoft and OpenAI in 2023, alleging that their AI systems were trained on its copyrighted journalism without permission. Other publishers, including the New York Daily News, The Intercept and the Center for Investigative Reporting, later joined the litigation. The publishers argue that using their work to train AI harms their businesses and allows technology companies to compete with the very organisations producing the information. Microsoft and OpenAI maintain that AI training is protected by fair use because the systems transform the material rather than simply republishing it.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The court has yet to resolve the broader dispute.</p><p>But the newly unsealed documents have exposed an uncomfortable question for the AI industry: if AI companies rely on the internet for the information that makes their models useful, what happens if those same systems make it harder for the people producing that information to survive?</p>

Newly unsealed court documents have revealed that Microsoft’s director of applied science privately described the large-scale use of online content to train AI as an “astonishing theft” and potentially the “largest theft of labour in human history”.

A Microsoft executive once described the mass collection of online content to train artificial intelligence as the “largest theft of labour in human history”, according to newly unsealed court documents. The comments were made by Brent Hecht, Microsoft’s director of applied science, in internal documents that have emerged in the copyright battle between The New York Times, Microsoft and OpenAI. Hecht warned that millions of people could see AI systems “hoovering up” their work as an unprecedented form of theft. The disclosure is significant because Microsoft and OpenAI are defending their use of copyrighted material to train AI models, arguing that the practice can qualify as fair use under US copyright law. Microsoft has stressed that Hecht’s comments represented his individual perspective and were not the company's legal position. Why did Microsoft executive raise the alarm? In a 2023 internal document, Hecht wrote that content creators had generally not intended for their work to be used in this way and were not being compensated for it. He also warned of a potential “doom loop”. The concern was simple: AI models depend on a constant supply of high-quality information from the internet. But if AI products reduce the money publishers and other creators make, fewer people may be able to produce the original work that future AI systems depend on. In another Microsoft document, Hecht reportedly described the situation as one in which an AI product could threaten the economic foundations of its own “content supply chain”. Chatbots could also take readers away from news websites The documents reveal another problem for publishers. ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot can provide information directly to users, potentially reducing the need to visit the original websites. Microsoft data cited in the court filings showed that click-through rates to The New York Times and Daily News were 83 to 93 per cent lower on Copilot's “answer engine” than on traditional Bing Search. OpenAI's head of ChatGPT, Nick Turley, also described AI products as “largely substitutive” and said they would become increasingly so as the technology improved. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella acknowledged in a deposition that chatbots can effectively give users information on an AI platform instead of sending them to the underlying website. The bigger battle over AI and copyright The New York Times sued Microsoft and OpenAI in 2023, alleging that their AI systems were trained on its copyrighted journalism without permission. Other publishers, including the New York Daily News, The Intercept and the Center for Investigative Reporting, later joined the litigation. The publishers argue that using their work to train AI harms their businesses and allows technology companies to compete with the very organisations producing the information. Microsoft and OpenAI maintain that AI training is protected by fair use because the systems transform the material rather than simply republishing it. The court has yet to resolve the broader dispute. But the newly unsealed documents have exposed an uncomfortable question for the AI industry: if AI companies rely on the internet for the information that makes their models useful, what happens if those same systems make it harder for the people producing that information to survive?

<p>Newly unsealed court documents have revealed that Microsoft’s director of applied science privately described the large-scale use of online content to train AI as an “astonishing theft” and potentially the “largest theft of labour in human history”.</p>

Microsoft executive called AI training the ‘largest theft of labour in human history’

<p>Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has entered the growing debate over how quickly artificial intelligence should advance, saying any pursuit of superintelligence must ultimately help humanity and remain under human control.</p><p>Nadella's comments come days after Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei called for the AI industry to “pace the frontier” and give safety work more time to keep up with rapidly improving models. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Elon Musk have also backed parts of Amodei's proposal.<br>The Microsoft chief's message adds a different dimension to the debate: AI safety should not mean putting control of the technology in the hands of only a few companies.</p><h2><br>Nadella's condition for superintelligence</h2><p>Nadella said the development of superintelligence should be based on a simple principle: if AI does not help humanity and cannot remain under human control, it is not worth pursuing. He also argued that the benefits of advanced AI should spread across countries, communities and companies.<br>That means, in his view, the future AI ecosystem should include both closed and open-source models, rather than being controlled by a small number of frontier labs.</p><h2><br>Why Nadella wants ‘deliberate pacing’</h2><p>Nadella said Microsoft supports research, focus and “deliberate pacing” so that alignment and safety are built into AI systems as they become more capable. He also welcomed the idea of embedded evaluators independent experts who can examine whether companies are actually following their safety commitments. That idea comes directly from Amodei's recent proposal. Anthropic has committed to giving third-party evaluators ongoing, employee-like access to its systems. Altman has said OpenAI will adopt a similar approach.</p><p>But Nadella also stressed another issue that matters to businesses.<br>He wants organisations to retain control of their own knowledge and AI learning processes instead of becoming permanently dependent on one model provider.</p><p>Companies, he argued, should be able to put their own knowledge into models and control the resulting systems.</p><h2>Microsoft promises a new AI ‘Code of Conduct’</h2><p>Nadella said Microsoft's first-party MAI models will also have a “Code of Conduct”, which the company plans to publish for public consultation. His comments come as the AI industry faces a rare moment of agreement over the need for stronger safeguards.</p><p>Amodei has warned that rapidly improving AI could create serious risks, including loss of control, cyberattacks and biological misuse. His proposal calls for industry coordination and eventually international cooperation. Altman has backed the call to “pace the frontier”, while Musk simply responded to Amodei's proposal: “Dario is right.”</p><p>The debate is now shifting from whether AI should advance to a harder question: how fast should it advance, who should control it, and who gets to decide when a powerful AI system is safe enough to deploy? Nadella's answer is becoming clear: progress can continue, but human control cannot be the part that gets left behind.</p>

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has backed a more deliberate approach to advanced AI development, saying superintelligence must help humanity and remain under human control. He also wants broader access to AI while allowing businesses to retain control over their own models and knowledge.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has entered the growing debate over how quickly artificial intelligence should advance, saying any pursuit of superintelligence must ultimately help humanity and remain under human control. Nadella's comments come days after Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei called for the AI industry to “pace the frontier” and give safety work more time to keep up with rapidly improving models. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Elon Musk have also backed parts of Amodei's proposal. The Microsoft chief's message adds a different dimension to the debate: AI safety should not mean putting control of the technology in the hands of only a few companies. Nadella's condition for superintelligence Nadella said the development of superintelligence should be based on a simple principle: if AI does not help humanity and cannot remain under human control, it is not worth pursuing. He also argued that the benefits of advanced AI should spread across countries, communities and companies. That means, in his view, the future AI ecosystem should include both closed and open-source models, rather than being controlled by a small number of frontier labs. Why Nadella wants ‘deliberate pacing’ Nadella said Microsoft supports research, focus and “deliberate pacing” so that alignment and safety are built into AI systems as they become more capable. He also welcomed the idea of embedded evaluators independent experts who can examine whether companies are actually following their safety commitments. That idea comes directly from Amodei's recent proposal. Anthropic has committed to giving third-party evaluators ongoing, employee-like access to its systems. Altman has said OpenAI will adopt a similar approach. But Nadella also stressed another issue that matters to businesses. He wants organisations to retain control of their own knowledge and AI learning processes instead of becoming permanently dependent on one model provider. Companies, he argued, should be able to put their own knowledge into models and control the resulting systems. Microsoft promises a new AI ‘Code of Conduct’ Nadella said Microsoft's first-party MAI models will also have a “Code of Conduct”, which the company plans to publish for public consultation. His comments come as the AI industry faces a rare moment of agreement over the need for stronger safeguards. Amodei has warned that rapidly improving AI could create serious risks, including loss of control, cyberattacks and biological misuse. His proposal calls for industry coordination and eventually international cooperation. Altman has backed the call to “pace the frontier”, while Musk simply responded to Amodei's proposal: “Dario is right.” The debate is now shifting from whether AI should advance to a harder question: how fast should it advance, who should control it, and who gets to decide when a powerful AI system is safe enough to deploy? Nadella's answer is becoming clear: progress can continue, but human control cannot be the part that gets left behind.

<p>Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has backed a more deliberate approach to advanced AI development, saying superintelligence must help humanity and remain under human control. He also wants broader access to AI while allowing businesses to retain control over their own models and knowledge.</p>

‘AI must remain under human control’: Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella backs slower development

<p>Microsoft is putting a monthly limit on Xbox Cloud Gaming, ending the unlimited cloud streaming access currently offered with Xbox Game Pass plans.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>From November, Game Pass subscribers will receive a set number of cloud gaming hours every month. Once those hours are used, players will have to buy additional time if they want to keep streaming games. Microsoft says the change is expected to affect about 4% of Game Pass subscribers.</p><p>The move comes as the cost of running cloud gaming infrastructure continues to rise. Microsoft says the new system will help it balance usage with the cost of providing the service while continuing to invest in performance and reliability.</p><h2><strong>How many cloud gaming hours will Xbox users get?</strong></h2><p>The new limits depend on the Game Pass plan. Game Pass Ultimate subscribers will get 15 hours of cloud gaming each month. Game Pass Premium will include 10 hours, while Game Pass Essential will offer five hours. Microsoft has not yet revealed how much extra cloud gaming time will cost. The company says it will provide pricing and more information before the changes take effect. The limits apply specifically to cloud gaming. Players who download games to supported hardware are not affected by these monthly streaming-hour caps.</p><h2><strong>Why is Microsoft doing this?</strong></h2><p>Microsoft says cloud gaming becomes more expensive as more people use the service and spend longer playing. “Moving to monthly limits” will allow Xbox to continue offering cloud gaming while investing in reliability and performance, the company said. It also acknowledged that the change could mean a higher cost for some players.</p><p>The decision follows a broader shift in how Microsoft approaches Game Pass.</p><p>The company has already changed Game Pass pricing and benefits, while Xbox continues expanding cloud gaming across phones, PCs, consoles, TVs and other supported devices. Xbox previously said cloud gaming hours had increased 45% year on year, showing just how quickly demand for streaming games has grown.</p><h2><strong>You can soon stream games you already own</strong></h2><p>There is another major change coming in November. People who do not subscribe to Game Pass will be able to purchase cloud gaming hours through the Xbox Store and use them to stream eligible games they already own. That could make cloud gaming more attractive to occasional players who do not want a monthly subscription. For regular Game Pass cloud players, however, the message is clear: unlimited streaming is coming to an end, and time will soon become part of the Xbox gaming equation.</p>

Microsoft is ending unlimited Xbox Cloud Gaming for Game Pass subscribers from November. Ultimate users will get 15 hours a month, Premium 10 hours and Essential five hours, with additional cloud gaming time available to buy.

Microsoft is putting a monthly limit on Xbox Cloud Gaming, ending the unlimited cloud streaming access currently offered with Xbox Game Pass plans. From November, Game Pass subscribers will receive a set number of cloud gaming hours every month. Once those hours are used, players will have to buy additional time if they want to keep streaming games. Microsoft says the change is expected to affect about 4% of Game Pass subscribers. The move comes as the cost of running cloud gaming infrastructure continues to rise. Microsoft says the new system will help it balance usage with the cost of providing the service while continuing to invest in performance and reliability. How many cloud gaming hours will Xbox users get? The new limits depend on the Game Pass plan. Game Pass Ultimate subscribers will get 15 hours of cloud gaming each month. Game Pass Premium will include 10 hours, while Game Pass Essential will offer five hours. Microsoft has not yet revealed how much extra cloud gaming time will cost. The company says it will provide pricing and more information before the changes take effect. The limits apply specifically to cloud gaming. Players who download games to supported hardware are not affected by these monthly streaming-hour caps. Why is Microsoft doing this? Microsoft says cloud gaming becomes more expensive as more people use the service and spend longer playing. “Moving to monthly limits” will allow Xbox to continue offering cloud gaming while investing in reliability and performance, the company said. It also acknowledged that the change could mean a higher cost for some players. The decision follows a broader shift in how Microsoft approaches Game Pass. The company has already changed Game Pass pricing and benefits, while Xbox continues expanding cloud gaming across phones, PCs, consoles, TVs and other supported devices. Xbox previously said cloud gaming hours had increased 45% year on year, showing just how quickly demand for streaming games has grown. You can soon stream games you already own There is another major change coming in November. People who do not subscribe to Game Pass will be able to purchase cloud gaming hours through the Xbox Store and use them to stream eligible games they already own. That could make cloud gaming more attractive to occasional players who do not want a monthly subscription. For regular Game Pass cloud players, however, the message is clear: unlimited streaming is coming to an end, and time will soon become part of the Xbox gaming equation.

<p>Microsoft is ending unlimited Xbox Cloud Gaming for Game Pass subscribers from November. Ultimate users will get 15 hours a month, Premium 10 hours and Essential five hours, with additional cloud gaming time available to buy.</p>

Microsoft puts time limits on Xbox Cloud Gaming after years of unlimited access

<p>Microsoft has delivered its biggest financial year on record and it is using that momentum to double down on artificial intelligence. The technology giant reported $331 billion in annual revenue, while its cloud business generated $214 billion. Azure also crossed $100 billion in annual revenue for the first time, underscoring the growing demand for Microsoft's AI-powered cloud services. But the biggest announcement came from CEO Satya Nadella, who revealed that Microsoft is preparing a Copilot super app, signalling the company's next major step in the AI race.</p><figure class="image"><img src="https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/indiatoday/styles/medium_crop_simple/public/2026-07/sd_ms.jpg?VersionId=XIfPE3nsz3nyhxxqgT11ABVhKZSMw_Zp" alt="Satya Nadella MS"></figure><h2><strong>Copilot is evolving beyond a chatbot</strong></h2><p>Speaking during Microsoft's earnings call, Nadella said the company is bringing its Copilot experiences together into "one super app."</p><p>The platform is expected to combine Microsoft's AI products including Copilot, GitHub Copilot and other AI-powered productivity tools into a single interface. Rather than switching between multiple applications, users could access coding, writing, research, enterprise workflows and AI assistance from one place. The move puts Microsoft in more direct competition with OpenAI, Anthropic and Google as AI companies race to build all-in-one assistants that become the primary interface for work.</p><h2><strong>Microsoft is reducing its dependence on OpenAI</strong></h2><p>Nadella also signalled that Microsoft is becoming increasingly independent in AI development. The company is investing in its own AI models, custom chips and enterprise AI architecture while continuing its long-standing partnership with OpenAI. "We ourselves are using it," Nadella said, referring to Microsoft's internal AI design approach. The shift reflects Microsoft's strategy of giving enterprise customers access to multiple AI models instead of relying on a single provider.</p><h2><strong>AI is driving Microsoft's growth</strong></h2><p>Microsoft also revealed that adoption of Microsoft 365 Copilot continues to accelerate. Paid M365 Copilot seats have surpassed 30 million, up from 20 million in the previous quarter, highlighting growing demand for AI-powered workplace tools.</p><p>Meanwhile, Microsoft's commercial cloud backlog increased to $678 billion, with the company saying the latest growth came entirely from customers outside the leading US AI model developers. Although Microsoft continues investing heavily in AI infrastructure, it forecast lower-than-expected capital expenditure for the coming year while maintaining long-term investment plans. The message from Microsoft's record earnings was clear: AI is no longer just another product inside the company. It has become the centre of Microsoft's future strategy and the upcoming Copilot super app could be its biggest AI launch yet.</p>

Microsoft reported a record $331 billion in annual revenue as CEO Satya Nadella unveiled plans for a Copilot AI super app. The company also crossed $100 billion in Azure revenue, passed 30 million Microsoft 365 Copilot seats and outlined its strategy to build more of its own AI technology.

Microsoft has delivered its biggest financial year on record and it is using that momentum to double down on artificial intelligence. The technology giant reported $331 billion in annual revenue, while its cloud business generated $214 billion. Azure also crossed $100 billion in annual revenue for the first time, underscoring the growing demand for Microsoft's AI-powered cloud services. But the biggest announcement came from CEO Satya Nadella, who revealed that Microsoft is preparing a Copilot super app, signalling the company's next major step in the AI race. Copilot is evolving beyond a chatbot Speaking during Microsoft's earnings call, Nadella said the company is bringing its Copilot experiences together into "one super app." The platform is expected to combine Microsoft's AI products including Copilot, GitHub Copilot and other AI-powered productivity tools into a single interface. Rather than switching between multiple applications, users could access coding, writing, research, enterprise workflows and AI assistance from one place. The move puts Microsoft in more direct competition with OpenAI, Anthropic and Google as AI companies race to build all-in-one assistants that become the primary interface for work. Microsoft is reducing its dependence on OpenAI Nadella also signalled that Microsoft is becoming increasingly independent in AI development. The company is investing in its own AI models, custom chips and enterprise AI architecture while continuing its long-standing partnership with OpenAI. "We ourselves are using it," Nadella said, referring to Microsoft's internal AI design approach. The shift reflects Microsoft's strategy of giving enterprise customers access to multiple AI models instead of relying on a single provider. AI is driving Microsoft's growth Microsoft also revealed that adoption of Microsoft 365 Copilot continues to accelerate. Paid M365 Copilot seats have surpassed 30 million, up from 20 million in the previous quarter, highlighting growing demand for AI-powered workplace tools. Meanwhile, Microsoft's commercial cloud backlog increased to $678 billion, with the company saying the latest growth came entirely from customers outside the leading US AI model developers. Although Microsoft continues investing heavily in AI infrastructure, it forecast lower-than-expected capital expenditure for the coming year while maintaining long-term investment plans. The message from Microsoft's record earnings was clear: AI is no longer just another product inside the company. It has become the centre of Microsoft's future strategy and the upcoming Copilot super app could be its biggest AI launch yet.

<p>Microsoft reported a record $331 billion in annual revenue as CEO Satya Nadella unveiled plans for a Copilot AI super app. The company also crossed $100 billion in Azure revenue, passed 30 million Microsoft 365 Copilot seats and outlined its strategy to build more of its own AI technology.</p>

Microsoft's next AI move: Satya Nadella says a Copilot 'super app' is coming

<p>Microsoft is changing the way it powers Copilot, and the strategy could have major implications for OpenAI, Anthropic and the economics of enterprise AI. CEO Satya Nadella says Microsoft is increasingly using its own MAI family of AI models across products including GitHub Copilot, Excel and Outlook. Instead of relying on the most powerful and expensive frontier model for every request, Microsoft wants to use the right model for each job. The goal is simple: maintain or improve AI performance while using fewer tokens and reducing the enormous computing cost of serving millions of users.</p><h2><strong>Microsoft's own AI is already taking on GPT and Claude</strong></h2><p>Microsoft says early results are promising. Its specialised MAI model running in Excel is performing on par with GPT-5.6 for common tasks while being cheaper to operate. In GitHub Copilot, MAI-Code-1-Flash has recorded an approximately 10% higher code acceptance rate than GPT-5.4 Mini and Claude Haiku 4.5 in Microsoft's testing. It also used around 10% fewer median tokens. Rather than training one enormous model to do everything, Microsoft trains specialised models inside environments based on the products in which they will actually operate. That means an Excel AI learns spreadsheet workflows, while a coding model learns how developers work inside GitHub Copilot.</p><h2><strong>OpenAI and Anthropic are not disappearing</strong></h2><p>The shift does not mean Microsoft is abandoning frontier models. Nadella said models from OpenAI and Anthropic will remain part of Microsoft's AI orchestration system. Powerful models can handle the hardest requests, while smaller and cheaper MAI models deal with high-volume everyday work. The model itself, Nadella argues, is only one part of an AI product. Memory, tools, context, user interactions and the surrounding software can be just as important.</p><p>Microsoft calls its continuous optimisation process "hill climbing." Instead of judging models only through standard benchmarks, Microsoft evaluates whether they successfully complete tasks customers actually care about.</p><h2><strong>Why Microsoft's strategy matters</strong></h2><p>AI has introduced something unusual into mainstream software: a significant cost every time a user asks the system to perform work. For products serving hundreds of millions of people, even small reductions in inference costs can therefore become extremely valuable. Microsoft's answer is a multi-model system where expensive frontier intelligence is used only when necessary. The company says it is seeing promising early results in GitHub Copilot, Excel and Outlook, with the approach now expanding towards Copilot Chat and PowerPoint. Microsoft also plans to bring the same framework to businesses through Microsoft Foundry, allowing companies to optimise AI agents around their own data, workflows and evaluations. The bigger shift is clear: the next stage of the AI race may not simply be about who builds the world's smartest model. It may be about who can deliver enough intelligence for each task at the lowest possible cost.</p>

Microsoft is expanding its home-grown MAI models across GitHub Copilot, Excel and Outlook. Satya Nadella says the strategy uses specialised, cheaper models for everyday tasks while keeping powerful OpenAI and Anthropic models available for demanding workloads.

Microsoft is changing the way it powers Copilot, and the strategy could have major implications for OpenAI, Anthropic and the economics of enterprise AI. CEO Satya Nadella says Microsoft is increasingly using its own MAI family of AI models across products including GitHub Copilot, Excel and Outlook. Instead of relying on the most powerful and expensive frontier model for every request, Microsoft wants to use the right model for each job. The goal is simple: maintain or improve AI performance while using fewer tokens and reducing the enormous computing cost of serving millions of users. Microsoft's own AI is already taking on GPT and Claude Microsoft says early results are promising. Its specialised MAI model running in Excel is performing on par with GPT-5.6 for common tasks while being cheaper to operate. In GitHub Copilot, MAI-Code-1-Flash has recorded an approximately 10% higher code acceptance rate than GPT-5.4 Mini and Claude Haiku 4.5 in Microsoft's testing. It also used around 10% fewer median tokens. Rather than training one enormous model to do everything, Microsoft trains specialised models inside environments based on the products in which they will actually operate. That means an Excel AI learns spreadsheet workflows, while a coding model learns how developers work inside GitHub Copilot. OpenAI and Anthropic are not disappearing The shift does not mean Microsoft is abandoning frontier models. Nadella said models from OpenAI and Anthropic will remain part of Microsoft's AI orchestration system. Powerful models can handle the hardest requests, while smaller and cheaper MAI models deal with high-volume everyday work. The model itself, Nadella argues, is only one part of an AI product. Memory, tools, context, user interactions and the surrounding software can be just as important. Microsoft calls its continuous optimisation process "hill climbing." Instead of judging models only through standard benchmarks, Microsoft evaluates whether they successfully complete tasks customers actually care about. Why Microsoft's strategy matters AI has introduced something unusual into mainstream software: a significant cost every time a user asks the system to perform work. For products serving hundreds of millions of people, even small reductions in inference costs can therefore become extremely valuable. Microsoft's answer is a multi-model system where expensive frontier intelligence is used only when necessary. The company says it is seeing promising early results in GitHub Copilot, Excel and Outlook, with the approach now expanding towards Copilot Chat and PowerPoint. Microsoft also plans to bring the same framework to businesses through Microsoft Foundry, allowing companies to optimise AI agents around their own data, workflows and evaluations. The bigger shift is clear: the next stage of the AI race may not simply be about who builds the world's smartest model. It may be about who can deliver enough intelligence for each task at the lowest possible cost.

<p>Microsoft is expanding its home-grown MAI models across GitHub Copilot, Excel and Outlook. Satya Nadella says the strategy uses specialised, cheaper models for everyday tasks while keeping powerful OpenAI and Anthropic models available for demanding workloads.</p>

Microsoft has a new plan for AI: Use expensive frontier models only when needed

IBM shares plunged 25% in their steepest single-day decline since 1968 after the company issued a preliminary earnings warning that fell short of Wall Street expectations. The sharp selloff wiped out more than $100 billion in market value and erased much of the company's AI-driven gains from earlier this year.

IBM blamed weaker-than-expected results on a global memory chip shortage, saying customers redirected spending toward AI servers, storage, and memory hardware instead of software and mainframes. The warning also weighed on the broader technology sector, with software stocks declining while chipmakers and storage companies gained as investors shifted toward AI infrastructure.

IBM shares plunge 25% after shock earnings warning, ai chip shortage hits software demand

<p>Microsoft is reportedly changing how it powers some of its AI products by reducing its reliance on models from OpenAI and Anthropic. According to a report by India Today, the company is replacing some ChatGPT and Claude models with its own AI models and smaller alternatives to lower operating costs. The reported move comes as technology companies spend billions of dollars on AI infrastructure, including powerful chips and large data centres. As AI adoption grows, keeping costs under control has become one of the industry's biggest challenges.</p><h2><strong>Why is Microsoft changing its AI strategy?</strong></h2><p>Running advanced AI models is expensive. Every user query requires computing power, and those costs rise quickly when millions of people use AI services every day. Microsoft has invested heavily in AI infrastructure, but it is also looking for ways to make its services more efficient.</p><p>Instead of using the largest and most expensive models for every task, Microsoft is reportedly selecting smaller or internally developed models for requests that do not require the highest level of reasoning. This approach can significantly reduce computing costs while maintaining a similar user experience for routine tasks.</p><h2><strong>What could replace ChatGPT and Claude?</strong></h2><p>According to the report, Microsoft is increasingly relying on its own Phi family of small language models and other internally developed AI systems in selected products. The company is also expected to continue using OpenAI's latest models where they offer clear advantages, particularly for more complex reasoning, coding and enterprise workloads. Rather than completely replacing ChatGPT or Claude, Microsoft appears to be adopting a multi-model strategy, selecting different models depending on the task.</p><h2><strong>A wider trend across the AI industry</strong></h2><p>Microsoft's reported move reflects a broader shift in artificial intelligence. For the past two years, companies competed mainly by building larger and more powerful AI models. Today, many are focusing on efficiency instead.</p><p>Developers are trying to lower the cost of every AI query while improving speed and reducing energy consumption. This is becoming increasingly important as AI services expand to hundreds of millions of users worldwide. If the report is accurate, Microsoft's latest strategy could signal where the AI industry is heading next not simply towards bigger models, but towards smarter and more cost-effective ones.</p>

Microsoft is reportedly replacing some ChatGPT and Claude models with its own AI systems and smaller models to reduce computing costs. The move reflects a growing industry trend where efficiency, speed and lower infrastructure costs are becoming as important as AI performance.


Microsoft is reportedly changing how it powers some of its AI products by reducing its reliance on models from OpenAI and Anthropic. According to a report by India Today, the company is replacing some ChatGPT and Claude models with its own AI models and smaller alternatives to lower operating costs. The reported move comes as technology companies spend billions of dollars on AI infrastructure, including powerful chips and large data centres. As AI adoption grows, keeping costs under control has become one of the industry's biggest challenges. Why is Microsoft changing its AI strategy? Running advanced AI models is expensive. Every user query requires computing power, and those costs rise quickly when millions of people use AI services every day. Microsoft has invested heavily in AI infrastructure, but it is also looking for ways to make its services more efficient. Instead of using the largest and most expensive models for every task, Microsoft is reportedly selecting smaller or internally developed models for requests that do not require the highest level of reasoning. This approach can significantly reduce computing costs while maintaining a similar user experience for routine tasks. What could replace ChatGPT and Claude? According to the report, Microsoft is increasingly relying on its own Phi family of small language models and other internally developed AI systems in selected products. The company is also expected to continue using OpenAI's latest models where they offer clear advantages, particularly for more complex reasoning, coding and enterprise workloads. Rather than completely replacing ChatGPT or Claude, Microsoft appears to be adopting a multi-model strategy, selecting different models depending on the task. A wider trend across the AI industry Microsoft's reported move reflects a broader shift in artificial intelligence. For the past two years, companies competed mainly by building larger and more powerful AI models. Today, many are focusing on efficiency instead. Developers are trying to lower the cost of every AI query while improving speed and reducing energy consumption. This is becoming increasingly important as AI services expand to hundreds of millions of users worldwide. If the report is accurate, Microsoft's latest strategy could signal where the AI industry is heading next not simply towards bigger models, but towards smarter and more cost-effective ones.

<p>Microsoft is reportedly replacing some ChatGPT and Claude models with its own AI systems and smaller models to reduce computing costs. The move reflects a growing industry trend where efficiency, speed and lower infrastructure costs are becoming as important as AI performance.</p>

Microsoft reportedly replaces ChatGPT and Claude models to reduce AI spending

<p>Microsoft has announced a fresh round of layoffs, affecting nearly 4,800 employees worldwide or around 2.1 per cent of the company's global workforce. The job cuts include a substantial reduction in the Xbox gaming division of the company, which is undertaking a broader restructuring. The latest downsizing comes as the company reshapes its Xbox business strategy in response to growing challenges in the gaming console market.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The move will significantly impact Microsoft's gaming business as nearly 1,600 Xbox employees have already been affected, and Microsoft has highlighted that further job cuts are likely during the ongoing fiscal year. In response to the development, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma, who is in charge of the gaming division, stated that the restructuring is focused on resetting the business.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Also read: </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/suicide-manoeuvre-what-b-52-pilots-must-do-in-the-4-minutes-after-dropping-a-nuclear-bomb-to-survive-1783376909667">'Suicide Manoeuvre': What B-52 pilots must do in the 4 minutes after dropping a nuclear bomb to survive</a></p><p><br>"Our business today is not healthy," Sharma said in a memo. "We are operating at margins that are 3-10x lower than comparable platform and publishing businesses." She also underscored the increasing pressure on the gaming hardware business.</p><h3>Xbox job cuts&nbsp;</h3><p>The Xbox job cuts are part of a broader round of layoffs at Microsoft. Chief People Officer Amy Coleman said the move is aimed at aligning the company's workforce with evolving customer needs, rather than replacing employees with artificial intelligence.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The latest layoffs follow Microsoft's voluntary buyout programme launched in May, which was offered to about 8,750 employees. Coleman said more than 30 per cent of eligible staff accepted the retirement packages. The fresh round of job cuts comes as Microsoft presses ahead with its ongoing workforce restructuring.</p>

The move will significantly impact Microsoft's gaming business as nearly 1,600 Xbox employees have already been affected, and Microsoft has highlighted that further job cuts are likely during the ongoing fiscal year. 

Microsoft has announced a fresh round of layoffs, affecting nearly 4,800 employees worldwide or around 2.1 per cent of the company's global workforce. The job cuts include a substantial reduction in the Xbox gaming division of the company, which is undertaking a broader restructuring. The latest downsizing comes as the company reshapes its Xbox business strategy in response to growing challenges in the gaming console market. The move will significantly impact Microsoft's gaming business as nearly 1,600 Xbox employees have already been affected, and Microsoft has highlighted that further job cuts are likely during the ongoing fiscal year. In response to the development, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma, who is in charge of the gaming division, stated that the restructuring is focused on resetting the business. Also read: 'Suicide Manoeuvre': What B-52 pilots must do in the 4 minutes after dropping a nuclear bomb to survive "Our business today is not healthy," Sharma said in a memo. "We are operating at margins that are 3-10x lower than comparable platform and publishing businesses." She also underscored the increasing pressure on the gaming hardware business. Xbox job cuts The Xbox job cuts are part of a broader round of layoffs at Microsoft. Chief People Officer Amy Coleman said the move is aimed at aligning the company's workforce with evolving customer needs, rather than replacing employees with artificial intelligence. The latest layoffs follow Microsoft's voluntary buyout programme launched in May, which was offered to about 8,750 employees. Coleman said more than 30 per cent of eligible staff accepted the retirement packages. The fresh round of job cuts comes as Microsoft presses ahead with its ongoing workforce restructuring.

<p>The move will significantly impact Microsoft's gaming business as nearly 1,600 Xbox employees have already been affected, and Microsoft has highlighted that further job cuts are likely during the ongoing fiscal year.&nbsp;</p>

Microsoft lay off 4,800 employees as Xbox gaming division undergoes major restructuring

The AI revolution is transforming more than just software—it could also affect the price of the gadgets we use every day. In this episode, we explore how soaring demand for memory chips used in AI data centers is creating pressure across the semiconductor industry. Discover why smartphone makers, laptop manufacturers, and even automakers may face tougher competition for critical components, potentially leading to fewer choices and slower upgrades. As AI expands rapidly, the battle for chips could reshape the future cost and availability of consumer electronics around the world.

Apple, Microsoft raise prices as AI memory costs soar

Bill Gates was scheduled to appear before Congress on Wednesday as it investigates ​the Justice Department's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case, highlighting the billionaire's contacts with the convicted ‌sex offender who ensnared women and girls from poor or unstable backgrounds.
The Microsoft Corp (MSFT.O), opens new tab founder will testify privately to the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, which is investigating possible federal mismanagement in the cases against Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell and related ​issues.


Microsoft Founder Bill Gates Testifies to US House Committee Investigating Epstein

Quantum science is entering a new era. Researchers have reported major breakthroughs ranging from the experimental confirmation of "negative time" effects to the creation of near-perfect quantum randomness. Meanwhile, tech giants are racing to build practical quantum computers capable of solving problems beyond the reach of today's most powerful machines.

Companies such as Microsoft are investing heavily in topological quantum computing, using elusive Majorana quasiparticles to create more stable quantum systems. As scientists continue scaling up qubit arrays and overcoming engineering challenges, the quantum revolution is moving closer to commercial reality.

Microsoft Deploys AI To Build Revolutionary New Quantum Chip

Microsoft and Nvidia have introduced a powerful new category of personal computers designed to handle tasks previously reserved for large server rooms or desktop workstations. It handles 120-billion parameter models locally.

<p>Microsoft and Nvidia have introduced a powerful new category of personal computers designed to handle tasks previously reserved for large server rooms or desktop workstations. It handles 120-billion parameter models locally.</p>

This one computer can now replace your entire office!

<p>Microsoft has announced the Surface RTX Spark Dev Box, a new compact desktop computer designed specifically for software developers, AI engineers and researchers. The device was unveiled during Microsoft's annual Build developer conference and forms part of the company's broader push to bring artificial intelligence development closer to users instead of relying entirely on cloud infrastructure.</p><p>The Surface RTX Spark Dev Box joins the recently announced Surface Laptop Ultra. While the laptop focuses on portable AI computing, the Dev Box is designed as a stationary workstation capable of handling demanding AI tasks directly on a developer's desk.</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Introducing - Surface RTX Spark Dev Box.<br><br>All the power developers need, right out of the box. <br><br>Sign up to learn more: <a href="https://t.co/DF0DvEvhOz">https://t.co/DF0DvEvhOz</a><br><br>Surface RTX Spark Dev Box. Built for more. <a href="https://t.co/wFqfi6z8FD">pic.twitter.com/wFqfi6z8FD</a></p>&mdash; Microsoft Surface (@surface) <a href="https://x.com/surface/status/2061850684052394367?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 2, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2><strong>What is the Surface RTX Spark Dev Box?</strong></h2><p>The Surface RTX Spark Dev Box is a desktop computer built around Nvidia's new RTX Spark architecture. Microsoft says the system has been designed for developers who want to run, test and fine-tune AI models locally without constantly relying on cloud-based computing resources. As AI models become larger and more expensive to operate, many developers are looking for ways to reduce cloud computing costs. Microsoft believes local AI processing can help developers work faster while lowering spending on cloud services. The company says the Dev Box is aimed at software developers, machine learning engineers, AI startups and enterprises building AI-powered applications.</p><h2><strong>Nvidia RTX Spark superchip powers the system</strong></h2><p>At the heart of the device is Nvidia's RTX Spark superchip, which combines a Grace CPU with a Blackwell RTX GPU. According to Microsoft, the system delivers up to one petaflop of AI computing performance and includes 128GB of unified memory. They claim this is enough to run AI models with more than 120 billion parameters locally. Developers can also fine-tune large language models and perform advanced AI tasks that would normally require access to expensive cloud GPUs.</p><p>The announcement reflects a wider industry trend where technology companies are trying to balance cloud AI services with powerful local computing capabilities.</p><h2><strong>Why is Microsoft pushing local AI computing?</strong></h2><p>Over the past two years, the cost of running advanced AI models has increased significantly as businesses process billions of AI queries each day. Microsoft argues that not every AI task needs to be sent to a remote data centre. Instead, developers can handle many routine workloads directly on their own machines while reserving cloud resources for larger and more complex tasks.</p><p>This approach can reduce latency, improve privacy and lower operational costs. Industry experts increasingly view hybrid AI computing combining local devices with cloud infrastructure as a practical solution for managing growing AI workloads.</p><h2><strong>Built for developers from day one</strong></h2><p>Microsoft says the Surface RTX Spark Dev Box comes pre-configured with a range of developer tools.</p><p>The device includes:</p><p>Windows 11 Pro<br>Visual Studio Code<br>GitHub Copilot<br>Git<br>Python<br><a href="http://node.js">Node.js</a><br>PowerShell 7<br>Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL 2)</p><p>The company has also enabled Developer Mode by default and configured GPU passthrough with CUDA support, allowing developers to take full advantage of the Nvidia hardware. Microsoft says users can begin building and testing applications immediately after setting up the device.</p><h2><strong>Integrated with Microsoft's AI ecosystem</strong></h2><p>The new Dev Box is closely connected to Microsoft's growing AI development platform.</p><p>Users will have access to:<br>AI Toolkit for Visual Studio Code<br>Windows Machine Learning (Windows ML)<br>Microsoft Foundry<br><br>Microsoft Foundry allows developers to deploy, manage and scale AI models built locally. The company says this integration is intended to create a smoother workflow between local development and large-scale deployment.</p><h2><strong>Security and enterprise features</strong></h2><p>Microsoft has also focused heavily on security. The Surface RTX Spark Dev Box includes:</p><p>Secured-core PC certification<br>BitLocker encryption<br>Microsoft Defender security tools<br>Entra ID support<br>Microsoft Intune management capabilities</p><p>These features are particularly important for enterprise customers handling sensitive data and proprietary AI models. The company says organisations will be able to manage the devices using existing Microsoft security and administration tools.</p><h2><strong>Availability and pricing</strong></h2><p>Microsoft says the Surface RTX Spark Dev Box will go on sale later this year in the United States through its official website. The company has not yet announced pricing details.</p><p>While the final cost remains unknown, the hardware specifications suggest the device is likely to target professional developers, AI researchers and enterprise customers rather than mainstream consumers.</p><p>As demand for AI development tools continues to grow, products such as the Surface RTX Spark Dev Box could play an increasingly important role in helping developers build and deploy advanced AI systems directly from their desktops.</p>

Microsoft has announced the Surface RTX Spark Dev Box, a new compact desktop computer designed specifically for software developers, AI engineers and researchers. 


Microsoft has announced the Surface RTX Spark Dev Box, a new compact desktop computer designed specifically for software developers, AI engineers and researchers. The device was unveiled during Microsoft's annual Build developer conference and forms part of the company's broader push to bring artificial intelligence development closer to users instead of relying entirely on cloud infrastructure. The Surface RTX Spark Dev Box joins the recently announced Surface Laptop Ultra. While the laptop focuses on portable AI computing, the Dev Box is designed as a stationary workstation capable of handling demanding AI tasks directly on a developer's desk.

<p>Microsoft has announced the Surface RTX Spark Dev Box, a new compact desktop computer designed specifically for software developers, AI engineers and researchers.&nbsp;</p>

Microsoft unveils Surface RTX Spark Dev Box for local AI workloads: Everything you need to know

<p>Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has defended the company's growing AI infrastructure footprint by highlighting a new data centre that he says uses no more water each year than a neighbourhood restaurant.</p><p>Speaking during his keynote address at Microsoft Build 2026, Nadella presented Microsoft's Fairwater data centre in Wisconsin as an example of how future AI facilities could reduce environmental impact while supporting the growing demand for artificial intelligence services. The comments come as technology companies face increasing scrutiny over the resources required to power and cool AI systems, particularly water and electricity consumption.</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://x.com/satyanadella?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@satyanadella</a> just put the whole &quot;water&quot; debate to rest. <br><br>Datacenters run on a closed loop cooling system, the water usage of a datacenter for an entire year is roughly equivalent to a usage of 1 restaurant! <a href="https://t.co/4mWCpxNWbJ">pic.twitter.com/4mWCpxNWbJ</a></p>&mdash; Alex Volkov (@altryne) <a href="https://x.com/altryne/status/2061857233903001674?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 2, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2><strong>What is Microsoft's Fairwater AI data centre?</strong></h2><p>The Fairwater facility is a 315-acre campus located in Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin. Microsoft has previously described it as one of its most advanced AI infrastructure projects. According to Nadella, the facility was designed differently from traditional data centres. Instead of spreading equipment across large horizontal buildings, Fairwater uses a two-storey vertical design that stacks thousands of graphics processors and computing systems closer together. Microsoft says this approach helps reduce latency while making more efficient use of land, power and cooling resources.</p><p>The company had committed approximately $7.3 billion to the project as of September 2025, making it one of Microsoft's largest AI infrastructure investments.</p><h2><strong>How does the water-saving system work?</strong></h2><p>The centrepiece of Microsoft's environmental argument is Fairwater's cooling system. According to Nadella, engineers filled the facility's cooling infrastructure with water only once during construction. The water is then continuously recycled through a closed-loop cooling system rather than being regularly replaced with fresh supplies. This means the facility does not need to draw large amounts of water from local communities during normal operations. Microsoft claims this approach allows the data centre's annual water consumption to remain comparable to that of a single local restaurant. As AI systems become larger and more energy-intensive, cooling has become one of the biggest environmental challenges facing the technology industry. Closed-loop systems are increasingly being explored as a way to reduce water demand.</p><p><br>The rapid growth of artificial intelligence has triggered a global data centre construction boom. Microsoft's Azure cloud platform now operates across more than 500 data centres in over 80 regions worldwide. According to Nadella, Microsoft has added more data centre capacity in the last 18 months than it did during the entire first decade of Azure's existence.</p><p>However, that expansion has also sparked criticism from some local communities and environmental groups.</p><h2><strong>Microsoft's broader sustainability argument</strong></h2><p>Nadella acknowledged that technology companies must do more than simply build data centres. According to the Microsoft CEO, companies need to demonstrate that new facilities benefit local communities through job creation, tax revenue and support for local organisations. He also argued that protecting local electricity prices should be a priority when building large-scale AI infrastructure.</p><p>"We have to earn trust," Nadella suggested during his remarks, pointing to the need for long-term relationships with communities hosting data centres. Microsoft says sustainable growth will become increasingly important as AI demand continues to rise globally.</p><h2><strong>Why AI infrastructure is expanding rapidly</strong></h2><p>The growth of generative AI tools such as ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini and Claude has created unprecedented demand for computing power. Training and operating advanced AI models requires massive clusters of specialised chips, particularly graphics processing units (GPUs). These systems consume significant amounts of electricity and generate large amounts of heat, making efficient cooling essential.</p><p>Industry analysts expect global investment in AI infrastructure to continue rising over the coming years as technology companies compete to build larger and more capable AI systems. This has placed data centre sustainability at the centre of discussions around the future of artificial intelligence.</p><h2><strong>Can AI growth and sustainability coexist?</strong></h2><p>Microsoft believes the answer is yes. The company argues that innovations such as closed-loop cooling systems, more efficient building designs and renewable energy investments can help reduce the environmental impact of AI infrastructure.</p><p>However, independent experts and environmental groups are likely to continue examining these claims as more facilities become operational. For now, Fairwater has become Microsoft's showcase project for demonstrating how future AI data centres could operate with lower water consumption while supporting the growing computing demands of artificial intelligence. Whether similar approaches can be scaled across the industry's rapidly expanding network of AI facilities remains one of the key questions facing the technology sector.</p>

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella says the Fairwater AI data centre uses recycled cooling water and consumes no more water annually than a neighbourhood restaurant, highlighting a potential model for sustainable AI infrastructure.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has defended the company's growing AI infrastructure footprint by highlighting a new data centre that he says uses no more water each year than a neighbourhood restaurant. Speaking during his keynote address at Microsoft Build 2026, Nadella presented Microsoft's Fairwater data centre in Wisconsin as an example of how future AI facilities could reduce environmental impact while supporting the growing demand for artificial intelligence services. The comments come as technology companies face increasing scrutiny over the resources required to power and cool AI systems, particularly water and electricity consumption.

<p>Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella says the Fairwater AI data centre uses recycled cooling water and consumes no more water annually than a neighbourhood restaurant, highlighting a potential model for sustainable AI infrastructure.</p>

Microsoft unveils AI data centre with closed-loop cooling system: Can it become sustainable?

<p>Microsoft has introduced Scout, a new artificial intelligence assistant designed to work as a personalised digital companion that learns from users over time.<br><br>The new product is one of several AI announcements made during Microsoft's annual Build developer conference. According to the company, Scout is designed to go beyond traditional chatbots by acting as a persistent AI agent that remembers user preferences, adapts to work habits and gradually becomes more useful through ongoing interactions. The launch also highlights Microsoft's growing focus on "agentic AI"&nbsp; a new category of AI systems capable of carrying out tasks more independently rather than simply responding to questions.</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Meet Microsoft Scout.<br><br>An always-on agent that keeps work moving, taking action without needing to be prompted each time.<br><br>As Microsoft’s first Autopilot agent, Microsoft Scout works across Teams, Outlook, OneDrive, and more—taking action within the controls your organization… <a href="https://t.co/YqeDABRHAy">pic.twitter.com/YqeDABRHAy</a></p>&mdash; Microsoft 365 (@Microsoft365) <a href="https://x.com/Microsoft365/status/2061874930547871868?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 2, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2><strong>What is Microsoft Scout?</strong></h2><p>Scout is a cloud-based AI assistant built on the framework developed by OpenClaw, an open-source AI project that gained significant attention earlier this year for demonstrating highly autonomous AI agents. Unlike traditional assistants that start fresh with every conversation, Scout is designed to maintain a continuous identity. Users can give their assistant a name, provide feedback over time and train it to understand their personal working style.</p><p>Microsoft says the assistant can remember recurring preferences, workflows and patterns, allowing it to gradually become more capable and personalised. According to Omar Shahine, Microsoft's vice president overseeing the project, the goal is to create an assistant that evolves alongside the user rather than functioning as a simple chatbot.</p><h2><strong>How does Scout work?</strong></h2><p>Scout operates across Microsoft 365 services, desktop applications and web browsers.</p><p>The assistant can connect to tools such as:</p><p>Email inboxes<br>Calendars<br>Documents<br>Productivity applications<br>Collaboration tools</p><p>Microsoft says Scout will initially include built-in capabilities for tasks such as calendar management, meeting preparation and scheduling support. However, the company believes the real value will come from user-created skills and customisations. Over time, Scout can learn from user behaviour and develop personalised workflows tailored to specific needs.</p><p>The more users interact with the assistant, the more context it can retain and apply in future tasks.</p><h2><strong>Why is Microsoft focusing on agentic AI?</strong></h2><p>The launch reflects a broader shift taking place across the artificial intelligence industry. Technology companies are increasingly moving beyond chatbot-style AI towards systems capable of completing multi-step tasks independently. These systems are often referred to as AI agents. Unlike standard AI assistants that simply answer questions, AI agents can:</p><p>Plan tasks<br>Remember information<br>Take actions across applications<br>Learn user preferences<br>Execute workflows with limited supervision</p><p>Microsoft believes this approach could significantly improve productivity for both individual users and businesses.</p><p>Industry experts see agentic AI as one of the next major developments in artificial intelligence.</p><h2><strong>Security concerns and Microsoft's safeguards</strong></h2><p>The rise of autonomous AI agents has also raised concerns about safety and oversight. Earlier this year, OpenClaw-generated headlines after reports emerged of an AI agent behaving unexpectedly while interacting with a researcher's inbox. The incident highlighted the potential risks associated with giving AI systems greater autonomy. To address those concerns, Microsoft says Scout includes several security mechanisms.</p><p>One of the most notable is a built-in policy conformance system designed to continuously monitor the assistant's behaviour and ensure it follows predefined rules and guidelines. Each compliance check also generates an audit trail, allowing organisations to review the assistant's actions and decisions. Microsoft says these safeguards are intended to make Scout suitable for workplace environments where accountability and security remain critical.</p><h2><strong>Who can use Scout?</strong></h2><p>Initially, Scout will be available through Microsoft's Frontier programme, which gives selected users early access to experimental technologies. Access will also require a GitHub Copilot subscription, suggesting that Microsoft is initially targeting developers, power users and organisations already using advanced AI tools. The company has not yet announced when Scout will become available more broadly.</p><h2><strong>What does Scout mean for Microsoft's AI strategy?</strong></h2><p>Scout forms part of Microsoft's wider effort to integrate artificial intelligence throughout its software ecosystem. At the Build conference, Microsoft also introduced updates to Copilot, new AI infrastructure initiatives and additional AI models designed for reasoning and automation.</p><p>The company sees personalised AI agents as an important part of the future workplace. Rather than opening separate applications for different tasks, users may increasingly rely on AI systems that understand their habits, manage workflows and assist with daily work.</p>

Microsoft has introduced Scout, a new artificial intelligence assistant designed to work as a personalised digital companion that learns from users over time.

Microsoft has introduced Scout, a new artificial intelligence assistant designed to work as a personalised digital companion that learns from users over time. The new product is one of several AI announcements made during Microsoft's annual Build developer conference. According to the company, Scout is designed to go beyond traditional chatbots by acting as a persistent AI agent that remembers user preferences, adapts to work habits and gradually becomes more useful through ongoing interactions. The launch also highlights Microsoft's growing focus on "agentic AI" a new category of AI systems capable of carrying out tasks more independently rather than simply responding to questions.

<p>Microsoft has introduced Scout, a new artificial intelligence assistant designed to work as a personalised digital companion that learns from users over time.</p>

‘Microsoft launches Scout’: Could this be the future of AI at work?

Nvidia is overtaking traditional chipmakers by powering the Microsoft Surface Laptop Ultra with its RTX Spark superchip. Featuring up to 128GB of unified memory and 1 petaflop of AI compute, the chip allows users to run massive 120-billion parameter models locally.


<p>Nvidia is overtaking traditional chipmakers by powering the Microsoft Surface Laptop Ultra with its RTX Spark superchip. Featuring up to 128GB of unified memory and 1 petaflop of AI compute, the chip allows users to run massive 120-billion parameter models locally.</p>

‘Nvidia vs traditional chipmakers’: How Nvidia is winning the race that traditional chipmakers started

<p>Microsoft has introduced the Surface Laptop Ultra, a new premium laptop developed in partnership with Nvidia that the company describes as its most powerful Surface device to date. The announcement marks a significant step in Microsoft's AI PC strategy as the company looks to bring advanced artificial intelligence capabilities directly onto personal computers.</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Introducing Surface Laptop Ultra.<br><br>Built for world makers. Designed for what&#39;s next.<br><br>The most powerful Surface laptop ever. Coming Fall 2026.<br><br>Sign up to learn more: <a href="https://t.co/k8aEX2pTAy">https://t.co/k8aEX2pTAy</a> <a href="https://t.co/bY1NdzNnie">pic.twitter.com/bY1NdzNnie</a></p>&mdash; Microsoft Surface (@surface) <a href="https://x.com/surface/status/2061329225886453989?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 1, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<p>The new device is powered by Nvidia's RTX Spark processor, an Arm-based chip designed to handle demanding AI workloads while maintaining the portability and battery life expected from modern laptops. Microsoft says the Surface Laptop Ultra represents years of collaboration between the two companies on Windows on Arm and AI-focused computing.</p><h2><strong>What is the Surface Laptop Ultra?</strong></h2><p>The Surface Laptop Ultra is a 15-inch laptop built around Nvidia's new RTX Spark platform. It is the first major Surface device to combine Microsoft's Windows ecosystem with Nvidia's latest Arm-based AI computing architecture. The launch is particularly notable because it marks Microsoft's renewed effort to build premium Arm-powered computers. Earlier attempts faced challenges, but advances in AI processing, chip design and software optimisation have created new opportunities for Arm-based Windows devices.</p><p>Microsoft says the laptop has been designed for creators, developers, AI researchers and professionals who need high-performance computing in a portable form factor.</p><p>RTX Spark: The chip at the centre of Microsoft's AI push</p><p>The biggest talking point is Nvidia's RTX Spark processor.</p><p>According to Microsoft and Nvidia, the chip can feature:</p><p>Up to 20 CPU cores</p><p>Up to 6,144 GPU cores</p><p>Up to 128GB unified memory</p><p>AI performance approaching 1 petaflop</p><p>Dedicated AI acceleration capabilities</p><p>The architecture is based on technology previously used in Nvidia's DGX Spark systems for AI developers. It has now been adapted for Windows devices, allowing advanced AI applications to run locally on the machine rather than relying entirely on cloud infrastructure. Industry observers see this as part of a wider trend where AI workloads are increasingly moving closer to the user rather than being processed exclusively in remote data centres.</p><h2><strong>Designed for AI, creators and developers</strong></h2><p>Microsoft says the Surface Laptop Ultra has been built for users handling demanding workloads such as AI model development, video editing, software development, 3D design and content creation. The company claims graphics performance is comparable to laptops equipped with Nvidia RTX 5070-class hardware, while AI processing capabilities are designed to support increasingly complex local AI applications. As businesses and consumers adopt more AI-powered tools, hardware manufacturers are focusing on devices capable of running these workloads efficiently without sacrificing portability.</p><h2><strong>Display, design and battery life</strong></h2><p>The Surface Laptop Ultra features a 15-inch mini-LED display with a pixel density of 262 pixels per inch. Microsoft says it is the brightest display ever used in a Surface device, with peak HDR brightness reaching 2,000 nits. The company has also introduced its largest Surface trackpad to date, complete with haptic feedback technology. The laptop weighs around 2 kilograms and will be available in silver and dark grey finishes.</p><p>Microsoft also says the device is designed to deliver all-day battery life, although detailed battery performance figures have not yet been released.</p><h2><strong>Ports and connectivity</strong></h2><p><br>Unlike many premium laptops that have reduced port options, the Surface Laptop Ultra includes a broad selection of connectivity features.</p><p>The company has confirmed support for:</p><p>USB-C<br>USB-A<br>HDMI<br>Full-size SD card slot<br>3.5mm headphone jack</p><p>Microsoft has not yet disclosed the full technical specifications for these ports, including transfer speeds and supported standards.</p><h2><strong>Why this launch matters</strong></h2><p>The launch is important not only because of the hardware itself but also because it highlights a deeper partnership between Microsoft and Nvidia. The two companies have spent years working on Windows on Arm and AI-focused computing. The Surface Laptop Ultra is one of the first major products to emerge from that collaboration. It also reflects a growing industry shift towards AI PCs. Companies including Microsoft, Apple, Qualcomm, AMD and Intel are all investing heavily in devices designed specifically for artificial intelligence workloads.</p><p>Rather than focusing only on traditional performance metrics, manufacturers are increasingly highlighting AI processing power, memory bandwidth and on-device AI capabilities.</p><h2><strong>More RTX Spark devices are expected</strong></h2><p>Microsoft has indicated that the Surface Laptop Ultra will not be the only product based on Nvidia's RTX Spark platform. According to the companies, the architecture is expected to appear in additional laptops and compact desktop systems in the future. This suggests that RTX Spark could become a broader ecosystem rather than a single flagship device.</p><p>As AI becomes a larger part of everyday computing, Microsoft and Nvidia appear to be positioning themselves at the centre of the next generation of personal computers. The Surface Laptop Ultra is expected to launch later in 2026, although Microsoft has not yet announced pricing or exact availability dates. For now, the announcement provides a glimpse into how Microsoft sees the future of computing: powerful AI capabilities running directly on devices, supported by specialised hardware and deep integration between software and silicon. Whether the Surface Laptop Ultra can reshape the Windows laptop market remains to be seen, but it clearly signals Microsoft's determination to compete aggressively in the emerging AI PC era.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

Microsoft has introduced the Surface Laptop Ultra, a new premium laptop developed in partnership with Nvidia that the company describes as its most powerful Surface device to date. 

Microsoft has introduced the Surface Laptop Ultra, a new premium laptop developed in partnership with Nvidia that the company describes as its most powerful Surface device to date. The announcement marks a significant step in Microsoft's AI PC strategy as the company looks to bring advanced artificial intelligence capabilities directly onto personal computers.

<p>Microsoft has introduced the Surface Laptop Ultra, a new premium laptop developed in partnership with Nvidia that the company describes as its most powerful Surface device to date.&nbsp;</p>

Microsoft unveils Surface Laptop Ultra with Nvidia RTX Spark chip: Key things to know

<p>Microsoft is reportedly working on a new "super app" designed to bring its growing collection of artificial intelligence tools into a single platform.</p><p>According to a report by Fortune, the company is developing a unified application that could combine various Copilot services and AI-powered tools currently spread across different Microsoft products. The move comes as Microsoft faces growing criticism from users who find its expanding AI ecosystem confusing and difficult to navigate. If launched, the app could become a central destination for Microsoft's AI services, making it easier for both consumers and businesses to access different tools from one place.</p><h2><strong>Why is Microsoft building a super app?</strong></h2><p>Over the past two years, Microsoft has introduced AI features across many of its products, including Windows, Microsoft 365, GitHub and Teams. However, this rapid expansion has also created confusion. Users often encounter multiple versions of Copilot, each designed for different tasks.</p><p>For example, consumers can currently choose between the standalone Copilot app and Microsoft's productivity-focused app, which also carries the Copilot branding while integrating features from Word, Excel and other Microsoft 365 services. According to the Fortune report, even Microsoft employees have raised concerns about the growing number of Copilot products and the difficulty users face in understanding which app they should use. During an internal town hall meeting, an employee reportedly asked CEO Satya Nadella how the company planned to help customers navigate the growing collection of Copilot tools. Nadella reportedly responded humorously, saying the simplest solution would be to have a billion users for each app.</p><h2><strong>What could the new app include?</strong></h2><p>According to reports, Microsoft's super app is expected to serve as a central hub for several AI-powered services.</p><p>The platform could integrate:<br>GitHub Copilot for software development</p><p>Copilot Chat for conversational AI assistance</p><p>Copilot features inside Microsoft 365</p><p>Future AI workflow automation tools</p><p>Team collaboration features powered by AI</p><p>One of the key features reportedly being considered is the ability for users to switch easily between personal and work accounts without needing multiple applications. Industry analysts say this could simplify Microsoft's AI experience and help users move more seamlessly between different tasks.</p><p>The strategy behind 'One Copilot'</p><p>The project is reportedly being developed under the internal slogan "Delivering One Copilot". The initiative is said to be led by Jacob Andreou, who recently took charge of Microsoft's Copilot division. The broader goal appears to be reducing fragmentation across Microsoft's AI products and creating a more unified brand identity. Technology companies increasingly want AI assistants to become the primary interface through which users interact with digital services. A single platform could help Microsoft strengthen user engagement while making its AI ecosystem easier to understand.</p><h2><strong>Why AI companies are moving towards super apps</strong></h2><p>Microsoft is not alone in pursuing this strategy. Across the technology industry, companies are trying to bring multiple AI tools into unified experiences rather than offering separate products for different tasks. The approach is similar to how messaging apps, productivity platforms and social media services evolved into larger ecosystems over time. A unified AI platform could allow users to search information, write documents, analyse data, generate code and manage workflows without constantly switching between applications.</p><p>Reports have also suggested that OpenAI is exploring ways to create a more integrated experience across its own products.</p><h2>The growing AI competition</h2><p>The reported super app project highlights how competition in the AI sector is shifting. The focus is no longer only on building the most capable AI models. Companies are increasingly competing on user experience, integration and ease of use. Microsoft has invested billions of dollars into AI development and maintains a close partnership with OpenAI. The company has embedded AI features across Windows, Office, GitHub and enterprise software products. However, as the number of AI-powered services grows, simplifying the experience has become just as important as improving the technology itself. Microsoft has not officially announced the super app, and the company has not publicly confirmed details of the reported project. However, if the reports are accurate, the platform could be introduced later this year. For users, the biggest benefit would be simplicity. Instead of choosing between multiple Copilot products, they could access coding assistance, productivity tools, AI chat and workflow automation from a single destination.</p><p>As AI becomes more deeply integrated into everyday work and personal computing, technology companies are increasingly looking for ways to make their growing ecosystems easier to use. Microsoft's reported "One Copilot" strategy appears to be a step in that direction.</p>

Microsoft is reportedly working on a new "super app" designed to bring its growing collection of artificial intelligence tools into a single platform.

Microsoft is reportedly working on a new "super app" designed to bring its growing collection of artificial intelligence tools into a single platform. According to a report by Fortune, the company is developing a unified application that could combine various Copilot services and AI-powered tools currently spread across different Microsoft products. The move comes as Microsoft faces growing criticism from users who find its expanding AI ecosystem confusing and difficult to navigate. If launched, the app could become a central destination for Microsoft's AI services, making it easier for both consumers and businesses to access different tools from one place. Why is Microsoft building a super app? Over the past two years, Microsoft has introduced AI features across many of its products, including Windows, Microsoft 365, GitHub and Teams. However, this rapid expansion has also created confusion. Users often encounter multiple versions of Copilot, each designed for different tasks. For example, consumers can currently choose between the standalone Copilot app and Microsoft's productivity-focused app, which also carries the Copilot branding while integrating features from Word, Excel and other Microsoft 365 services. According to the Fortune report, even Microsoft employees have raised concerns about the growing number of Copilot products and the difficulty users face in understanding which app they should use. During an internal town hall meeting, an employee reportedly asked CEO Satya Nadella how the company planned to help customers navigate the growing collection of Copilot tools. Nadella reportedly responded humorously, saying the simplest solution would be to have a billion users for each app. What could the new app include? According to reports, Microsoft's super app is expected to serve as a central hub for several AI-powered services. The platform could integrate: GitHub Copilot for software development Copilot Chat for conversational AI assistance Copilot features inside Microsoft 365 Future AI workflow automation tools Team collaboration features powered by AI One of the key features reportedly being considered is the ability for users to switch easily between personal and work accounts without needing multiple applications. Industry analysts say this could simplify Microsoft's AI experience and help users move more seamlessly between different tasks. The strategy behind 'One Copilot' The project is reportedly being developed under the internal slogan "Delivering One Copilot". The initiative is said to be led by Jacob Andreou, who recently took charge of Microsoft's Copilot division. The broader goal appears to be reducing fragmentation across Microsoft's AI products and creating a more unified brand identity. Technology companies increasingly want AI assistants to become the primary interface through which users interact with digital services. A single platform could help Microsoft strengthen user engagement while making its AI ecosystem easier to understand. Why AI companies are moving towards super apps Microsoft is not alone in pursuing this strategy. Across the technology industry, companies are trying to bring multiple AI tools into unified experiences rather than offering separate products for different tasks. The approach is similar to how messaging apps, productivity platforms and social media services evolved into larger ecosystems over time. A unified AI platform could allow users to search information, write documents, analyse data, generate code and manage workflows without constantly switching between applications. Reports have also suggested that OpenAI is exploring ways to create a more integrated experience across its own products. The growing AI competition The reported super app project highlights how competition in the AI sector is shifting. The focus is no longer only on building the most capable AI models. Companies are increasingly competing on user experience, integration and ease of use. Microsoft has invested billions of dollars into AI development and maintains a close partnership with OpenAI. The company has embedded AI features across Windows, Office, GitHub and enterprise software products. However, as the number of AI-powered services grows, simplifying the experience has become just as important as improving the technology itself. Microsoft has not officially announced the super app, and the company has not publicly confirmed details of the reported project. However, if the reports are accurate, the platform could be introduced later this year. For users, the biggest benefit would be simplicity. Instead of choosing between multiple Copilot products, they could access coding assistance, productivity tools, AI chat and workflow automation from a single destination. As AI becomes more deeply integrated into everyday work and personal computing, technology companies are increasingly looking for ways to make their growing ecosystems easier to use. Microsoft's reported "One Copilot" strategy appears to be a step in that direction.

<p>Microsoft is reportedly working on a new "super app" designed to bring its growing collection of artificial intelligence tools into a single platform.</p>

Microsoft reportedly building a super app to bring all its AI assistants together

SpaceX has filed its IPO prospectus. The company is targeting what could be the largest IPO in history—with a potential valuation of $1.75 trillion and hopes of raising around $75 billion. For context, that would place SpaceX alongside Apple, Microsoft, and Nvidia as one of the world’s most valuable companies.


SpaceX Set for IPO — and the Filing Shows Big Space Bets

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Why is Microsoft raising $25 billion in debt when it already has $76.8 billion in cash?

Big Tech’s financial commitments reach $3.3 trillion as spending plans expand

Microsoft AI tool changes live words, shapes lips to match

Tech massacre: Microsoft cuts 60,000 roles while Anthropic flags extinction

The money behind AI data centres: What Microsoft’s buyout plan reveals

Microsoft plans $175 billion AI spending in 2026

Microsoft offers exit packages to 27% of its workforce across four countries

China-linked hackers used AI to speed up cyberattacks, Microsoft warns

Microsoft says AI companies need tougher safety rules as rogue agent risks grow

Satya Nadella warns AI needs an ‘emergency brake’ as safety concerns grow

Trump honours Satya Nadella just hours after Microsoft faces Green Card scrutiny

Microsoft’s new Surface Laptop Ultra is built for AI, gaming and creative work

Microsoft executive warned AI could undermine the web that feeds it