Latest news with #Build2025
Forbes
4 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
AI On Windows One Year Later At Microsoft Build 2025
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella on stage at Build 2025 A year after Microsoft launched the Copilot+ PC, we've finally started to get an idea of what's possible with an on-device NPU and Microsoft's fully featured, AI-enhanced OS. Microsoft suffered a major false start with its Recall function, but now that we're a year past the initial launch, all three major silicon vendors have support for Recall, among other AI-enhanced features. But we're still lacking many of the third-party developers building on top of what Microsoft has enabled in Windows 11 — which is needed to make it a truly AI-accelerated experience that fully leverages the NPU. The Microsoft Build 2025 conference made more moves in that direction with a slew of new announcements to help propel the industry and the Windows ecosystem forward. (Note: Microsoft is an advisory client of my firm, Moor Insights & Strategy.) Microsoft has evolved what was previously called the Windows Copilot Runtime into the Windows AI Foundry. At the heart of AI Foundry is Windows ML, an evolution of DirectML that was previously the center of the Copilot Runtime. Microsoft says that Windows ML enables developers to 'bring their own models' and deploy them efficiently across the complete ecosystem of silicon vendors. The company is also saying that WinML will not only support Copilot+ PCs but also the full breadth of PCs, from entry-level laptops to high-end AI workstations, using whatever silicon is available for AI acceleration. Microsoft also announced that it will embed Anthropic's open source Model Context Protocol and the Agent2Agent Protocol into Windows and other Azure offerings; these protocols create a standardized framework for AI agents to interact with apps and services. Microsoft also announced a new open source project called NLWeb, which looks to extend agentic user experiences into the internet, bridging some of the gaps between the cloud and local devices. I applaud this much broader approach from Microsoft, although I also believe that it creates an even heavier lift for for the company. Still, it should allow for AI features to run on way more PCs. Microsoft's story is shifting away from NPU-only acceleration towards talking more about the GPU and CPU as well. However, the Open Neural Network Exchange AI runtime is still at the center of the Windows ML runtime, which means that there might still be some performance left on the table in the name of ONNX compatibility. That said, some vendors have said that Nvidia's new WinML TensorRT EP is two times faster than its previous Direct ML implementation. I believe that this is the approach that Microsoft should've taken from the beginning, but I'm not sure that the software and hardware ecosystems were quite ready to deploy such a solution. In the end, anything that makes it easier for developers to roll out AI capabilities independent from the AI hardware on the device is a net benefit for the ecosystem and the broader industry. I'm glad to see the Copilot Runtime has evolved into something that developers can actually use — and that stands to make it easier to manage the complexity of four different silicon vendors all with different CPU, GPU and NPU architectures capable of AI. WSL — the Windows Subsystem for Linux — is now open source. While WSL was launched in 2016, it has steadily grown in popularity among developers wanting to run Linux code on Windows without needing to spin up a virtual machine environment. WSL 2 further grew its popularity when it launched in 2019, but some fundamental capabilities were still not available. One of the first requests from the developer community was to open-source WSL to make it easier for developers to use. I believe that finally doing this will simply make Windows an easier platform to develop for and encourage more developers to use it. Microsoft also launched its new 'Advanced Windows Settings,' which was previously called 'Windows Settings for Developers.' This new version gives users, whether they are developers or not, more control over how folders and files are displayed and how version control works. Microsoft says that the new Advanced Settings page has been open-sourced on GitHub and can be maintained via its Windows Store. The Advanced Settings feature manages not only File Explorer, but also Virtual Machines, which is why it used to be called 'for Developers' — since those features are predominantly used by developers. Microsoft wants to continue to grow the Microsoft Store, which is now used by more than 250 million monthly active users, so as one of the first steps it is enabling free account registration for individual developers. This previously required a $19 fee — which will still be charged for companies — but eliminating this fee for individuals could enable younger developers to create apps without that barrier to entry. Microsoft also has a new Store FastTrack program for companies to help them submit their apps to the store more quickly, including waiving the $19 fee. Microsoft is also committing to faster and more transparent certifications for the Store to enable faster turnarounds, clearer guidance and fewer resubmissions. Microsoft also announced that it is making discovery better with enhanced Windows and Store search, which should make it easier to launch apps that users already have installed. I personally hope this gets smarter and more accurate because I launch most of my apps through search, usually not even fully typing the name of the program. Microsoft will also enhance Store search with more intent-aware search, using vector embeddings and semantic ranking for better results. I believe that Microsoft continues to move in the right direction with both open source and AI on Windows. The Windows Copilot Runtime simply wasn't getting the traction that I think Microsoft needed for success, and it's clear that the company has listened to both hardware and software vendors to create WinML and the AI Foundry. WinML and the AI Foundry seem to be better positioned to enable local AI-accelerated applications and finally deliver a lot of the promises of the AI PC. With the AI space moving at breakneck speed, it's good to see that Microsoft is making the necessary adjustments to ensure that the Windows platform doesn't get left behind. Microsoft should be working in lockstep with the ecosystem to enhance the Windows and Azure environments for AI use cases, but I do believe that Microsoft still has the best opportunity to take advantage of productivity in AI with Windows and its suite of apps. I also believe that Copilot should be more at the center of the Windows experience, but with virtually no desktops supporting Copilot+ features, it feels somewhat disjointed. I also believe that Copilot should be integrated more deeply into Windows and should be able to run (with obvious limitations) locally without an internet connection. Time will tell whether Microsoft moves in that direction.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Microsoft Stock (MSFT) Shrugs Off Macro Blues and Returns to Record Highs
Microsoft (MSFT) is rapidly solidifying its leadership in the AI race, fueled by the strength of Azure's cloud platform, the transformative impact of Microsoft 365 Copilot, and strategic investments in AI infrastructure. These growth drivers are delivering impressive revenue and earnings momentum, helping justify the stock's premium valuation, especially for long-term investors. In an AI-driven future, Microsoft's position at the top appears firmly secured. Easily unpack a company's performance with TipRanks' new KPI Data for smart investment decisions Receive undervalued, market resilient stocks right to your inbox with TipRanks' Smart Value Newsletter Looking at the tech giant's share price in recent months is a far cry from where sentiment was back in March, when Donald Trump's trade policies with China and fears of a U.S. recession unsettled the stock, sending it back to $350 per share. Given the strong bounce-back, I remain bullish on the stock. Today, every Fortune 500 CEO is racing to integrate AI into their business, and Microsoft's Azure has become the engine powering that transformation. Azure's revenue soared 33% last quarter—well ahead of Wall Street's 30% estimate—with AI services accounting for nearly half of that growth. Microsoft reported $26.75 billion in cloud revenue, up 21% year-over-year, thanks to Azure's ability to deliver customized AI solutions, from predictive analytics in retail to real-time fraud detection in finance. At Build 2025, Microsoft showcased updates to its Maia AI chip, reinforcing its role as an innovation leader in the space. What stands out is the real-world impact. For instance, Walmart (WMT) is using Azure to streamline its supply chain through AI models that anticipate demand surges. Microsoft CFO Amy Hood noted on the latest earnings call that the company is working to expand data center capacity to meet what she called 'insatiable' demand. While infrastructure constraints remain a challenge, they serve as a testament to Azure's accelerating momentum. Simply put, Azure has become the digital backbone of the AI era—and Microsoft is making sure it stays that way. Let's turn to Microsoft 365 Copilot, the company's AI-powered productivity assistant that's rapidly becoming an indispensable tool for modern workplaces. Capable of drafting emails, analyzing data in Excel, and even assisting with real-time coding, Copilot is transforming how employees interact with everyday software. In the most recent quarter, Microsoft's Productivity and Business Processes segment, which includes Copilot, generated $29.94 billion in revenue, marking a 10% year-over-year increase and surpassing analyst expectations. Notably, Barclays' decision to roll out 100,000 Copilot licenses highlights growing enterprise adoption across multiple industries. What sets Copilot apart is its deep integration within the Microsoft ecosystem—seamlessly functioning across Teams, Outlook, Word, and more. This embedded approach provides users with enhanced functionality without disrupting existing workflows. At the Build 2025 conference, Microsoft showcased Copilot's ability to automate routine desktop tasks, positioning it not just as a tool but as a true digital collaborator. CEO Satya Nadella highlighted use cases in sectors like healthcare, where organizations are leveraging Copilot to streamline administrative tasks such as managing patient records, despite some initial concerns about data privacy. While the $30-per-user monthly fee may give some decision-makers pause, the potential for significant time savings makes a strong case. Ultimately, Microsoft is redefining productivity by embedding AI at the core of the digital workplace. Microsoft is allocating a massive $80 billion toward AI infrastructure this year, accelerating its data center expansion at a rapid clip. However, last quarter marked a slight decline in capital expenditures—from $22.6 billion to $21.4 billion—signaling a shift from sheer scale to strategic efficiency. Rather than cost-cutting, this appears to reflect Microsoft's growing confidence in its internal AI capabilities. As the chart indicates, MSFT's R&D spend remains the most considerable portion of its operating expenses. A prime example is the Discovery platform, which recently identified a non-toxic data center coolant in just 200 hours, showcasing how AI is already improving operational efficiency. CEO Satya Nadella has also emphasized that refining AI models, whether developed with OpenAI or independently, is significantly reducing costs while enhancing performance. This disciplined investment approach seems to be paying off. Major clients, such as Siemens, are already leveraging Microsoft's AI for advanced manufacturing processes, underscoring the tangible, real-world impact of these efforts. Microsoft's bet on more innovative AI-driven infrastructure appears not only calculated but increasingly validated. Here's where the investment case for Microsoft becomes especially compelling. Azure and Copilot aren't just driving revenue—they're fueling significant profit expansion. These high-margin segments are helping lift Microsoft's net margins toward the 45–50% range, up from the high 30% level earlier in fiscal Q1 2025. Analysts project earnings per share will grow by 13.5% this year, with Q3 FY25 already posting an impressive $3.46 per share—a robust 18% year-over-year increase. Microsoft's bottom-line growth is clearly accelerating, powered by the scalability of its AI initiatives. Yes, Microsoft stock trades at a premium P/E of 35, but exceptional companies rarely come cheap. With strong execution across cloud, AI, and productivity tools, the market's valuation reflects real momentum, not just hype. Investors waiting for a significant pullback may find themselves on the sidelines as Microsoft continues to outperform its peers. This is a business in its prime, and the long-term upside remains firmly intact. Despite trading near its highs, Wall Street remains extremely bullish on MSFT stock. MSFT features a Strong Buy consensus rating, with 31 analysts currently bullish and five neutral. Not a single analyst is bearish on the stock. MSFT's average stock forecast of $514.93 indicates upside potential of about 10% over the next twelve months. Microsoft's AI-powered rise is a standout example of strategic innovation and flawless execution. With Azure, Copilot, and well-timed infrastructure investments driving both top-line and bottom-line growth, the company's premium valuation looks well-earned. Backed by $80 billion in AI-related investments and a clear commitment to staying ahead of industry trends, Microsoft is firmly positioned at the forefront of the AI revolution. I continue to view MSFT as a premier tech holding—operating at peak performance with strong momentum and no indication of slowing down. Disclaimer & DisclosureReport an Issue Sign in to access your portfolio
Business Insider
10-06-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Microsoft Stock (MSFT) Shrugs Off Macro Blues and Returns to Record Highs
Microsoft (MSFT) is rapidly solidifying its leadership in the AI race, fueled by the strength of Azure's cloud platform, the transformative impact of Microsoft 365 Copilot, and strategic investments in AI infrastructure. These growth drivers are delivering impressive revenue and earnings momentum, helping justify the stock's premium valuation, especially for long-term investors. In an AI-driven future, Microsoft's position at the top appears firmly secured. Confident Investing Starts Here: Looking at the tech giant's share price in recent months is a far cry from where sentiment was back in March, when Donald Trump's trade policies with China and fears of a U.S. recession unsettled the stock, sending it back to $350 per share. Given the strong bounce-back, I remain bullish on the stock. Today, every Fortune 500 CEO is racing to integrate AI into their business, and Microsoft's Azure has become the engine powering that transformation. Azure's revenue soared 33% last quarter—well ahead of Wall Street's 30% estimate —with AI services accounting for nearly half of that growth. Microsoft reported $26.75 billion in cloud revenue, up 21% year-over-year, thanks to Azure's ability to deliver customized AI solutions, from predictive analytics in retail to real-time fraud detection in finance. At Build 2025, Microsoft showcased updates to its Maia AI chip, reinforcing its role as an innovation leader in the space. What stands out is the real-world impact. For instance, Walmart (WMT) is using Azure to streamline its supply chain through AI models that anticipate demand surges. Microsoft CFO Amy Hood noted on the latest earnings call that the company is working to expand data center capacity to meet what she called 'insatiable' demand. While infrastructure constraints remain a challenge, they serve as a testament to Azure's accelerating momentum. Simply put, Azure has become the digital backbone of the AI era—and Microsoft is making sure it stays that way. MSFT Envisages Everyone to Have an AI Copilot Let's turn to Microsoft 365 Copilot, the company's AI-powered productivity assistant that's rapidly becoming an indispensable tool for modern workplaces. Capable of drafting emails, analyzing data in Excel, and even assisting with real-time coding, Copilot is transforming how employees interact with everyday software. In the most recent quarter, Microsoft's Productivity and Business Processes segment, which includes Copilot, generated $29.94 billion in revenue, marking a 10% year-over-year increase and surpassing analyst expectations. Notably, Barclays' decision to roll out 100,000 Copilot licenses highlights growing enterprise adoption across multiple industries. What sets Copilot apart is its deep integration within the Microsoft ecosystem—seamlessly functioning across Teams, Outlook, Word, and more. This embedded approach provides users with enhanced functionality without disrupting existing workflows. At the Build 2025 conference, Microsoft showcased Copilot's ability to automate routine desktop tasks, positioning it not just as a tool but as a true digital collaborator. CEO Satya Nadella highlighted use cases in sectors like healthcare, where organizations are leveraging Copilot to streamline administrative tasks such as managing patient records, despite some initial concerns about data privacy. While the $30-per-user monthly fee may give some decision-makers pause, the potential for significant time savings makes a strong case. Ultimately, Microsoft is redefining productivity by embedding AI at the core of the digital workplace. MSFT Earmarks Future AI Spend, Byte by Byte Microsoft is allocating a massive $80 billion toward AI infrastructure this year, accelerating its data center expansion at a rapid clip. However, last quarter marked a slight decline in capital expenditures—from $22.6 billion to $21.4 billion—signaling a shift from sheer scale to strategic efficiency. Rather than cost-cutting, this appears to reflect Microsoft's growing confidence in its internal AI capabilities. As the chart indicates, MSFT's R&D spend remains the most considerable portion of its operating expenses. A prime example is the Discovery platform, which recently identified a non-toxic data center coolant in just 200 hours, showcasing how AI is already improving operational efficiency. CEO Satya Nadella has also emphasized that refining AI models, whether developed with OpenAI or independently, is significantly reducing costs while enhancing performance. This disciplined investment approach seems to be paying off. Major clients, such as Siemens, are already leveraging Microsoft's AI for advanced manufacturing processes, underscoring the tangible, real-world impact of these efforts. Microsoft's bet on more innovative AI-driven infrastructure appears not only calculated but increasingly validated. MSFT's Profit Machine Keeps Humming Here's where the investment case for Microsoft becomes especially compelling. Azure and Copilot aren't just driving revenue—they're fueling significant profit expansion. These high-margin segments are helping lift Microsoft's net margins toward the 45–50% range, up from the high 30% level earlier in fiscal Q1 2025. Analysts project earnings per share will grow by 13.5% this year, with Q3 FY25 already posting an impressive $3.46 per share—a robust 18% year-over-year increase. Microsoft's bottom-line growth is clearly accelerating, powered by the scalability of its AI initiatives. Yes, Microsoft stock trades at a premium P/E of 35, but exceptional companies rarely come cheap. With strong execution across cloud, AI, and productivity tools, the market's valuation reflects real momentum, not just hype. Investors waiting for a significant pullback may find themselves on the sidelines as Microsoft continues to outperform its peers. This is a business in its prime, and the long-term upside remains firmly intact. What is Microsoft's 12-Month Price Target? Despite trading near its highs, Wall Street remains extremely bullish on MSFT stock. MSFT features a Strong Buy consensus rating, with 31 analysts currently bullish and five neutral. Not a single analyst is bearish on the stock. MSFT's average stock forecast of $514.93 indicates upside potential of about 10% over the next twelve months. Microsoft at Full Throttle Justifies Its Premium Microsoft's AI-powered rise is a standout example of strategic innovation and flawless execution. With Azure, Copilot, and well-timed infrastructure investments driving both top-line and bottom-line growth, the company's premium valuation looks well-earned. Backed by $80 billion in AI-related investments and a clear commitment to staying ahead of industry trends, Microsoft is firmly positioned at the forefront of the AI revolution. I continue to view MSFT as a premier tech holding—operating at peak performance with strong momentum and no indication of slowing down.
Time of India
29-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
When Vaniya Agrawal made Microsoft's AI security chief 'stumble' and accidentally reveal Walmart's AI plans
Former Microsoft employee Vaniya Agrawal , alongside colleague Hossam Nasr , disrupted a presentation by Microsoft's head of AI security Neta Haiby at the Build 2025 conference on Tuesday, causing an unexpected revelation of confidential internal messages about Walmart's artificial intelligence expansion plans. The leak occurred when Haiby switched screens amid the protests, accidentally exposing private Teams conversations about the retail giant's upcoming use of Microsoft's AI tools. The exposed messages showed Walmart is "ready to ROCK AND ROLL with Entra Web and AI Gateway," according to a Microsoft cloud solution architect. The conversation also quoted a Walmart AI engineer praising Microsoft's security capabilities, stating "Microsoft is WAY ahead of Google with AI security. We are excited to go down this path with you." The accidental revelation highlighted concerns about Walmart's existing "MyAssistant" tool, which the messages described as "overly powerful and needs guardrails." This proprietary AI system, built last summer using Azure OpenAI Service, helps store associates summarize documents and create marketing content. The Verge first reported on the incident and the AI partnership details. Protests disrupt multiple Microsoft Build sessions Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Switch to UnionBank Rewards Card UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo This marked the third protest interruption at Microsoft Build 2025, as Agrawal and Nasr continued their campaign against Microsoft's cloud contracts with the Israeli government. The duo, representing the "No Azure for Apartheid" group, specifically chose Haiby's AI security session to voice their concerns. "Sarah, you are whitewashing the crimes of Microsoft in Palestine," Nasr shouted at Sarah Bird, Microsoft's head of responsible AI, who was co-hosting the session. The disruption followed similar protests during CEO Satya Nadella 's keynote and other Build presentations. Both Nasr and Agrawal are former Microsoft employees who were terminated after organizing Palestinian solidarity activities. Their protests centered on demanding Microsoft end its Azure contracts with Israeli military and government entities. Microsoft has not commented on the Build disruptions or the accidentally revealed Walmart partnership details.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Jefferies Names Microsoft (MSFT) Its Top AI Pick After 'Build 2025'
Jefferies' top tech analyst, Brent Thill, has named Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT) his 'top AI pick' following the company's annual developer conference, Build 2025, held in Seattle last week. In a research note on May 23, Thill reaffirmed his Buy rating on the stock and maintained a price target of $550, highlighting Microsoft's strategic focus on artificial intelligence as a key driver of future growth. Asif Islam / Thill described Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT) evolving into a comprehensive AI platform, positioning it to lead in the fast-moving AI landscape. He emphasized the company's growing momentum in AI services and infrastructure, noting a strong reception from the developer community. One of the standout themes from Build 2025 was Copilot, Microsoft's AI assistant, which Thill said had made meaningful progress over the past three to six months. Developers were particularly enthusiastic about its enhanced capabilities and the ease with which it can integrate next-generation reasoning models. Thill also noted that the updated Copilot now features advanced research tools, which he believes will help close the functionality gap with OpenAI's Deep Research, further strengthening Microsoft's competitive edge in enterprise AI solutions. With continued innovation and broad developer support, Microsoft remains a major force in shaping the future of artificial intelligence, according to Jefferies. While we acknowledge the potential of MSFT as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than MSFT and that has 100x upside potential, check out our report about this . Read More: and Disclosure: None. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
