Major technology companies including Microsoft, Google, and xAI have agreed to provide the US government with access to unreleased artificial intelligence models for security testing before they are launched publicly. The move was announced by the National Institute of Standards and Technology as part of efforts to address growing concerns about the cybersecurity risks linked…
Microsoft is offering voluntary early retirement to a portion of its U.S. workforce for the first time, as the tech giant continues to restructure amid growing investments in artificial intelligence (AI). The programme will be available to employees whose combined age and years of service total 70 or more, with eligibility extending to staff at…
Microsoft has officially confirmed that its next-generation Xbox console is in development under the codename Project Helix, marking the company’s clearest signal yet that future Xbox hardware will blend traditional console gaming with PC capabilities. The announcement came from Asha Sharma, who recently took over leadership of Microsoft’s Xbox division. In a brief update, Sharma…
Microsoft has pledged to invest $50bn by the end of the decade to expand access to artificial intelligence in lower-income countries, warning that uneven adoption of the technology risks deepening global inequality. The commitment was announced on Wednesday at the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, where technology leaders, policymakers and researchers are meeting to…
Microsoft has dismissed claims that it imposed a 30% profit margin target on its Xbox gaming division, pushing back against reports that linked the figure to recent layoffs and project cancellations. The clarification was included in a new CNBC report, which cited discussions with Microsoft about several narratives that have circulated around the company over…
Global technology leaders Meta, Alphabet, and Microsoft are ramping up spending on artificial intelligence (AI) as competition intensifies to dominate the rapidly expanding sector. The massive investments, revealed in fresh earnings reports on Wednesday, highlight the growing financial stakes in an AI boom that has fuelled record stock market valuations. Meta announced plans to boost…
OpenAI has officially completed its transition from a non-profit research organisation to a for-profit entity – a move that positions the company to attract billions in new investments and possibly prepare for a future stock market listing. As part of the restructuring, OpenAI and Microsoft have revised their long-standing partnership, granting the tech giant a…
Microsoft’s Head of Artificial Intelligence, Mustafa Suleyman, has said the company is committed to developing AI systems that are emotionally intelligent, supportive, and safe enough for children to use – a clear stance against the growing trend of romantic and adult-oriented chatbots. In an interview with CNN, Suleyman said Microsoft’s goal is to create trustworthy…
Microsoft has dismissed growing speculation that it plans to abandon its Xbox hardware business, following reports that major U.S. retailers Walmart and Target were scaling back or removing Xbox products from store shelves. The tech giant’s clarification came after a weekend of confusion sparked by social media posts claiming Xbox consoles had disappeared from certain…
Microsoft has announced another round of price increases for its Xbox consoles in the United States, marking the second hike in just four months. The company attributed the move to “changes in the macroeconomic environment,” though the decision comes on the heels of a strong earnings report showing significant revenue growth. The new pricing will…
Microsoft and OpenAI have signed a non-binding agreement to redefine the terms of their partnership, a move that could allow OpenAI to transition into a for-profit company and eventually pursue an initial public offering (IPO). The announcement, made on Thursday, signals a new chapter in one of the most high-profile collaborations in the artificial intelligence…
Microsoft has confirmed that its Azure cloud services experienced disruptions over the weekend due to damage to undersea cables in the Red Sea, impacting internet traffic across parts of the Middle East, Asia, and beyond. The tech giant announced that users of Azure – one of the world’s most widely used cloud computing platforms –…
Microsoft has unveiled a major update to its Windows gaming ecosystem aimed at reducing one of PC gaming’s most notorious frustrations – long load times and in-game stuttering caused by shader compilation. The announcement came during Gamescom 2025 in Cologne, where the company also showcased new Asus ROG Xbox handheld devices. At the heart of…
Microsoft has joined Nvidia in the exclusive $4 trillion valuation club, becoming the second company in history to reach the milestone. The tech giant’s shares surged nearly 4.5% on Thursday, lifting its market value to $4.01 trillion after a strong earnings report the previous evening. The company’s stock has climbed about 28% since January, fueled…
Three of the biggest names in artificial intelligence – Microsoft, OpenAI, and Anthropic – are joining forces with major teachers’ unions to launch a nationwide training program that will help 400,000 U.S. educators understand and use AI in the classroom. The newly announced National Academy of AI Instruction, backed by a $23 million investment, aims…
Nvidia has made history by briefly becoming the world’s first publicly traded company to reach a $4 trillion market value, marking a new milestone in the ongoing artificial intelligence boom that has reshaped the global tech landscape. Shares of the U.S. chipmaker rose 2.76% early on Wednesday, pushing its valuation past the $4 trillion threshold…
Tech giant Microsoft has announced plans to lay off as many as 9,000 employees, as the company continues to restructure its workforce to align with its expanding ambitions in artificial intelligence (AI). The job cuts, which represent about 4% of Microsoft’s global workforce of 228,000, mark the fourth round of layoffs the company has initiated…
Microsoft is officially retiring one of its most recognizable – and dreaded – features: the infamous Blue Screen of Death (BSOD). The error screen, long associated with system crashes on Windows computers, will soon be replaced by a sleeker black version as part of a broader effort to improve user experience. According to a statement…
Microsoft and Asus have officially launched two new handheld gaming consoles – the ROG Xbox Ally and the more powerful ROG Xbox Ally X – after months of speculation and leaks. Designed for gamers who want access to multiple platforms on the go, both devices run on Windows 11 and support games from Steam, Epic…
Microsoft is reportedly preparing to lay off approximately 7,000 employees – about 3% of its global workforce – as part of a broader cost-cutting strategy tied to its growing focus on artificial intelligence. According to a report by CNBC, the job cuts will span multiple departments and regions, making this the company’s largest round of…
Microsoft has introduced a powerful new feature to its Copilot Studio platform that allows AI agents to independently interact with websites and desktop applications – without needing traditional API access. Announced this week, the new “computer use” capability lets businesses build AI agents that can navigate user interfaces by clicking buttons, selecting menu options, and…
Microsoft is ramping up warnings to Windows 10 users as the operating system inches closer to its official end-of-life date on October 14, 2025. The tech giant has renewed its call for eligible users to take advantage of the free Windows 11 upgrade, while highlighting serious risks of continuing to use an unsupported OS. Currently,…
Microsoft has commenced the preview rollout of its AI-powered screen-tracking tool, Recall, which captures snapshots of users’ screens at intervals, prompting renewed concerns over digital privacy. Available to select users enrolled in Microsoft’s Windows Insider testing programme, the feature is part of the new Copilot+ suite for AI-enabled PCs and laptops. It marks a relaunch…
Microsoft may be preparing to integrate Steam and other game launchers into the Xbox app on PC, signaling a major shift in how players access their game libraries. A leaked mockup image, briefly posted by Microsoft, showcased a redesigned Xbox app UI spanning across TVs, tablets, and handheld devices, with a Steam filter appearing alongside…
A shareholder of Ubisoft has accused the company of failing to disclose meetings with Electronic Arts (EA) and Microsoft regarding the potential acquisition of its intellectual properties (IP). The shareholder, AJ Investments, which holds less than 1% stake in Ubisoft, is planning a protest outside the company’s Paris headquarters in May. The firm’s CEO, Juraj…
Microsoft has unveiled a new artificial intelligence assistant, Dragon Copilot, designed to help doctors reduce administrative tasks and focus more on patient care. The AI assistant merges Microsoft’s existing Dragon Medical One speech recognition software with the DAX Copilot tool, which records and documents doctor-patient conversations. By integrating these technologies, Dragon Copilot aims to streamline…
Microsoft has announced that it will be shutting down Skype, the once-dominant internet-based calling and video service, after more than 20 years in operation. In a statement shared on X, the company confirmed that Skype will “no longer be available” starting in May. However, users will be able to access Microsoft Teams’ free tier using…
Microsoft is making high-end artificial intelligence more accessible by integrating OpenAI’s powerful o1 model into its Copilot assistant at no cost. This move provides Windows users with free access to AI reasoning that would otherwise require a pricey subscription. The o1 model, introduced by OpenAI in December, was initially available only through paid plans. OpenAI’s…
Negotiations are underway involving Oracle, Microsoft, and TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, as efforts continue to address national security concerns while preserving TikTok’s U.S. operations. Sources close to the discussions revealed that the proposed deal could see ByteDance retain a minority stake in the company, with Oracle playing a key oversight role. Under the proposed arrangement,…
Microsoft has announced it will stop supporting Microsoft 365 apps, including Office apps, on Windows 10 devices after October 14, 2025. The move aligns with Windows 10’s scheduled end of support and will require users to upgrade to Windows 11 to continue receiving support for Microsoft 365 applications. In a blog post, Microsoft stated, “Microsoft…
Microsoft is set to invest approximately $80 billion in the development of advanced data centres throughout fiscal 2025, aiming to bolster its infrastructure for artificial intelligence (AI) models and cloud-based applications. This announcement comes as the demand for AI-powered solutions continues to skyrocket, especially after the success of OpenAI’s ChatGPT, launched in 2022. The company’s…
Microsoft has announced plans to allocate $80 billion in fiscal 2025 to expand its data centre network and bolster artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities. The investment is aimed at supporting AI model training and the deployment of AI-driven and cloud-based applications, according to a company blog post on Friday. The move underscores the growing demand for…
Microsoft may be gearing up to challenge Sony’s PlayStation 5 DualSense controller with an innovative design of its own, according to details from a recently discovered patent. The patent, titled “Tuning Haptic Feedback of a Device,” outlines advanced haptic technology that could elevate Xbox gaming experiences to rival or surpass the features of Sony’s popular…
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has initiated a broad antitrust investigation into Microsoft, targeting the tech giant’s business practices. The agency has formally requested information from Microsoft as part of its inquiry, according to a source familiar with the matter. Neither Microsoft nor the FTC has commented on the investigation, which was first reported by…
Microsoft has breathed new life into its classic Paint application by adding cutting-edge AI tools as part of the latest Windows 11 update. Originally launched in 1985, Paint has remained one of Microsoft’s simplest and most enduring programs, yet it’s now equipped with powerful AI capabilities that allow users to create advanced visuals with ease….
Microsoft’s CEO, Satya Nadella, received a $79.1 million compensation package for the past fiscal year, marking a 63% increase from the previous year, despite his personal request for a reduction due to cybersecurity incidents. The pay package includes a substantial $71.2 million in stock options, with a reduced cash component of $5.2 million—over half of…
Microsoft is set to relaunch its AI-powered screenshot tool, Recall, in November after facing widespread criticism over privacy concerns. Originally described as a “privacy nightmare” when introduced in May 2024, the tool’s release was postponed after backlash from users and privacy advocates. Recall, which is designed to take regular screenshots of users’ activity to help…
Microsoft is set to discontinue its popular Paint 3D app later this year, disappointing many fans who have grown fond of the creative tool. The news was first revealed by the leaker ‘phantomofearth,’ who noticed a banner within the app stating that it will no longer receive updates or be available in the Microsoft Store…
Microsoft has announced a significant policy change affecting its employees in China, mandating that they use only iPhones for work purposes, effective September 2024. This move comes as part of Microsoft’s broader security initiatives aimed at standardizing employee identity management and device security protocols. According to an internal memo obtained by Bloomberg News, the decision…
In a dynamic shift within the tech industry, Nvidia recently became the world’s most valuable company, surpassing Microsoft, which had itself leapfrogged Apple. This milestone was noted with applause at a tech event in Copenhagen. Although Nvidia has since dropped to second place due to a decline in its share price, standing at a valuation…
Apple has reclaimed its title as the most valuable public company in the United States, surpassing Microsoft on Thursday. The tech giant’s stock surged following announcements at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), including new generative AI features for iPhones. Apple’s market capitalization closed at approximately $3.29 trillion, edging out Microsoft’s $3.28 trillion. Apple shares…
Microsoft’s unveiling of a new AI feature, dubbed Recall for Windows computers, has ignited privacy concerns among experts who fear potential misuse of the technology. The tool acts as a personal “time machine,” allowing users to retrieve past screen content, including documents, images, and websites, through AI-powered semantic search functionality. Unlike traditional keyword searches, Recall…
The United States government has enlisted the expertise of leading figures in the artificial intelligence (AI) industry to establish guidelines for safeguarding critical infrastructure against AI-related threats and disruptions. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced on Friday the formation of a panel comprising CEOs from prominent technology companies, including Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI. The…
Microsoft has introduced a groundbreaking artificial intelligence technology capable of bringing static faces to life, allowing for realistic animations synchronized with audio clips. Known as VASA-1, the AI model was revealed by Microsoft researchers last week. It has the remarkable ability to transform a still image of a face into a lifelike video, complete with…
Microsoft’s highly anticipated Xbox Mastercard, initially unveiled last year, has officially launched nationwide, extending its enticing benefits to all eligible US residents. Following a successful pilot phase with members of the Xbox Insider program, the Xbox Mastercard is now accessible to individuals aged 18 and above across all 50 states. Issued in partnership with Barclays,…
In response to antitrust concerns and ongoing investigations, Microsoft has announced that it will no longer bundle its Teams collaboration software with its Office 365 suite anywhere in the world. The decision to separate Teams from Office extends a previous announcement made last year, which initially applied only to the European Union. This move comes…
Recent revelations suggest that Microsoft is gearing up to enter the handheld gaming market with the launch of its Xbox handheld console, slated for release in 2026. Initial plans for the device surfaced last year through documents from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), hinting at Microsoft’s ambition to expand its gaming portfolio. While details have…
In a strategic move highlighting its commitment to artificial intelligence (AI) innovation, Microsoft has appointed British AI pioneer Mustafa Suleyman to helm its newly established division, Microsoft AI. Suleyman, renowned for his co-founding role at the esteemed AI firm DeepMind, currently heads start-up Inflection AI, which has quickly risen to prominence in the generative AI…
Microsoft has announced a significant shift in its approach to the integration of OneDrive with Windows, now allowing users to uninstall the cloud storage service from their systems permanently. This move comes after years of the company promoting OneDrive as the default cloud storage solution for Windows users, often to the frustration of many. In…
In a recent revelation, Microsoft disclosed a significant breach by Russian state-backed hackers, indicating a more extensive intrusion into its core software systems than previously acknowledged. The tech giant disclosed in a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission that hackers gained access to its source code repositories and internal systems, exploiting information stolen…
