Here are the latest news updates on Microsoft:
AI Developments:
- New AI Agents: Microsoft is introducing two “deep reasoning” AI agents, Researcher and Analyst, for its Microsoft 365 Copilot tool. Researcher performs complex research tasks and integrates data from sources like Salesforce and ServiceNow. Analyst processes raw data, runs Python code, and generates detailed reports. These features will be available to Microsoft 365 Copilot license holders starting in April through an early access program.
- Security Copilot Agents: The company has unveiled new agents for Microsoft Security Copilot, aiming to enhance cybersecurity by automating responses based on AI findings. This move reflects a broader trend of integrating generative AI in security operations.
Business Strategy:
- Data Center Project Adjustments: Microsoft has canceled data center projects totaling 2 gigawatts of electricity in the U.S. and Europe over the past six months due to an oversupply relative to its demand forecast. This decision includes not supporting additional training workloads from OpenAI. In response, Google and Meta have taken over the capacity in international markets and the U.S., respectively. Despite these adjustments, Microsoft plans to continue growing in all regions and remains committed to spending $80 billion on AI infrastructure this fiscal year.
Legal Challenges:
- Newspaper Copyright Lawsuit: A federal judge has allowed a lawsuit by The New York Times and other newspapers against OpenAI and Microsoft to proceed. The lawsuit seeks to end the use of their articles for training AI chatbots. The judge dismissed some claims but allowed most of the case to continue, potentially leading to a jury trial.
Gaming Initiatives:
- Xbox Games on PS5: Microsoft’s strategy to bring Xbox games to the PS5 is showing success, with titles like “Indiana Jones and the Great Circle” and “Forza Horizon 5” topping preorder charts on the PlayStation Store in multiple regions. Both games’ premium versions are particularly popular. “Indiana Jones and the Great Circle” will debut on April 17 for the PS5, with early access starting April 15, while “Forza Horizon 5” is set for an April 29 release.
AI in Cybersecurity:
- Agentic AI Adoption: Security teams are increasingly adopting agentic AI, which can take autonomous actions based on its findings, to improve efficiency and response times in cybersecurity. Microsoft plans to introduce 11 new AI agents in Security Copilot, reflecting this trend. However, there are risks if the AI makes errors, and skepticism persists regarding AI’s reliability in security roles.