Microsoft Corp - MSFT STOCK NEWS

Accenture (NYSE: ACN), Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT), and Unilever (LSE: ULVR) have successfully completed a major cloud migration, marking a significant achievement in the consumer goods sector.

This transition, executed in just 18 months, will enhance Unilever's operational resilience, customer service, and product launch speed, while supporting its sustainability goals.

Utilizing Azure as its primary cloud platform, Unilever aims to leverage AI and cloud technology for innovation, efficiency, and reduced carbon emissions. This partnership sets a new standard for cloud transitions in the industry.

On March 28, 2023, Microsoft launched Security Copilot, an AI-driven tool designed to enhance cybersecurity defenses. It combines vast threat intelligence with AI capabilities to assist security professionals in threat detection and response. The platform addresses the increasing attacks, with 1,287 password attacks per second and a 67% rise in attacks over five years. Security Copilot leverages Microsoft's extensive data analysis, tracking over 50 ransomware gangs and processing 65 trillion threat signals daily. Currently in private preview, it integrates with existing Microsoft security products to streamline operations and improve decision-making.

Internews, Microsoft, and USAID announced a partnership to launch the Media Viability Accelerator, aimed at enhancing the financial sustainability of independent news media. This initiative, disclosed on March 27, 2023, coincides with the 2023 Summit for Democracy. The platform will offer news organizations free access to a community of peers, multilingual tools for performance data visualization, and daily market insights. Key commitments include USAID's support for the platform's development, Microsoft's provision of technical expertise in data analysis and AI, and Internews registering up to 500 media outlets from low-resource countries within six months.

CarbonCapture Inc. has entered an agreement with Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) to provide engineered carbon removal credits. This partnership supports Microsoft's aim to become carbon negative by 2030 and to eliminate its historic CO₂ emissions by 2050. CarbonCapture is developing Project Bison in Wyoming, which aims to capture and store 5 million tons of CO₂ annually by 2030, utilizing Class VI injection wells. This project marks a significant step in the scalability of direct air capture technology. The collaboration with Microsoft is seen as a catalyst for growth in the direct air capture industry.

Microsoft Corp. announced the introduction of Microsoft 365 Copilot, a next-generation AI tool designed to enhance workplace productivity.

Currently being tested with select commercial customers, Copilot integrates large language models with Microsoft 365 applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams. It aims to improve creativity, productivity, and skills by offering features like Business Chat, which generates status updates from emails and meetings.

Microsoft emphasizes the tool's security and privacy, ensuring enterprise readiness. Specific pricing and licensing details will be provided later as testing continues.

Microsoft Corp. has appointed Sandra E. Peterson as its new Lead Independent Director, succeeding John W. Thompson. Thompson has held leadership roles since 2012. The company also declared a quarterly dividend of $0.68 per share, payable on June 8, 2023, to shareholders recorded by May 18, 2023. This marks a continued commitment to return value to shareholders. Additionally, the Board reelected Satya Nadella as Chairman and made new committee appointments for directors. Microsoft aims to empower people and organizations through digital transformation.

Microsoft has entered a 10-year agreement with Boosteroid, the largest independent cloud gaming provider, to make Xbox PC games and Activision Blizzard titles like 'Call of Duty' available on Boosteroid's platform. This deal comes as Boosteroid has surpassed 4 million users globally. Once Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard is finalized, this partnership is expected to increase the player base for these titles by over 150 million. This initiative aligns with Microsoft’s broader goal of enhancing game accessibility across devices and regions, showcasing its commitment to the Ukrainian software development community.

Novata, a technology platform for private markets, has announced the successful completion of its Series B funding, raising $30 million. This funding was led by Hamilton Lane (NASDAQ: HLNE) and included investors such as S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI) and Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT). The capital will enhance Novata's ESG data management platform, which now serves over 3,500 private companies. Launched in April 2022, Novata provides robust benchmarking capabilities and aims to increase ESG transparency in private markets. The company continues to position itself as a critical infrastructure for sustainable capitalism.

iMocha, the largest skills intelligence and assessment platform, has partnered with Microsoft to launch the AI-EnglishPro tool, which revolutionizes the assessment of business English proficiency. Using Microsoft Azure, the product aims to reduce hiring time by providing quantitative and qualitative analysis of communication skills. The English proficiency assessment market is currently valued at USD 1,922.5 million and projected to reach USD 6,166 million in ten years. AI-EnglishPro offers accurate evaluations, benchmarks for training, and integrated assessments to eliminate bias in the process.