Editing Microsoft (section)

===2020–present: Acquisitions, Xbox Series X/S, and Windows 11===
{{See also|Acquisition of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft}}

On March 26, 2020, Microsoft announced it was acquiring Affirmed Networks for about $1.35&nbsp;billion.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.investors.com/news/technology/microsoft-stock-reacts-head-scratcher-acquisition/|title=Microsoft Stock Reacts To 'Head-Scratcher' Acquisition|date=March 27, 2020|work=Investor's Business Daily|access-date=March 30, 2020|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://blogs.microsoft.com/blog/2020/03/26/microsoft-announces-agreement-to-acquire-affirmed-networks-to-deliver-new-opportunities-for-a-global-5g-ecosystem/|title=Microsoft announces agreement to acquire Affirmed Networks to deliver new opportunities for a global 5G ecosystem|date=March 26, 2020|website=The Official Microsoft Blog|language=en-US|access-date=March 30, 2020}}</ref> Due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], Microsoft closed all of its retail stores indefinitely due to health concerns.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/microsoft-closing-retail-locations-novel-coronavirus-covid-2020-3|title=Microsoft is closing its retail stores around the world indefinitely because of the coronavirus crisis|publisher=[[Business Insider]]|access-date=March 17, 2020}}</ref> On July 22, 2020, Microsoft announced plans to close its [[Mixer (service)|Mixer]] service, planning to move existing partners to [[List of Facebook features#Facebook Gaming|Facebook Gaming]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2020/06/22/bringing-more-players-into-our-gaming-vision|title=Bringing More Players Into Our Gaming Vision|date=June 22, 2020|publisher=Microsoft|access-date=August 17, 2020}}</ref>

On July 31, 2020, it was reported that Microsoft was in talks to acquire [[TikTok]] after the [[First presidency of Donald Trump|Trump administration]] ordered [[ByteDance]] to [[Divestment|divest]] ownership of the application to the U.S.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Jacobs|first1=Jennifer|last2=Mohsin|first2=Saleha|last3=Leonard|first3=Jenny|date=July 31, 2020|title=Trump to Order China's ByteDance to Sell TikTok in U.S.|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-07-31/trump-to-order-china-s-bytedance-to-sell-tiktok-u-s-operations|access-date=August 3, 2020|newspaper=Bloomberg.com}}</ref> On August 3, 2020, after speculation on the deal, [[Donald Trump]] stated that Microsoft could buy the application, however, it should be completed by September 15, 2020, and that the [[United States Department of the Treasury]] should receive a portion if it were to go through.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Davidson|first=Helen|date=August 3, 2020|title=TikTok sale: Trump approves Microsoft's plan but says US should get a cut of any deal|url=http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2020/aug/03/tiktok-row-trump-to-take-action-soon-says-pompeo-as-microsoft-pursues-deal|access-date=August 3, 2020|website=The Guardian|language=en}}</ref>

On August 5, 2020, Microsoft stopped its [[Xbox Cloud Gaming#iOS|xCloud]] game streaming test for [[iOS]] devices. According to Microsoft, the future of xCloud on iOS remains unclear and potentially out of Microsoft's hands. [[Apple Inc.|Apple]] has imposed a strict limit on "[[Remote Desktop Services|remote desktop clients]]" which means applications are only allowed to connect to a user-owned host device or gaming console owned by the user.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/8/5/21356274/microsoft-xcloud-ios-apple-iphone-ipad-testing-ends-apple-app-store-policies|title=Microsoft cuts xCloud iOS testing early as its future on Apple devices remains unclear|access-date=August 5, 2020|website=The Verge|date=August 5, 2020}}</ref> On September 21, 2020, Microsoft announced its intent to acquire video game company [[ZeniMax Media]], the parent company of [[Bethesda Softworks]], for about $7.5&nbsp;billion, with the deal expected to occur in the second half of 2021 fiscal year.<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Liana|last=Ruppert|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/2020/09/21/microsoft-acquires-bethesda-the-studio-behind-fallout-the-elder-scrolls-doom-and-more|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921142458/https://www.gameinformer.com/2020/09/21/microsoft-acquires-bethesda-the-studio-behind-fallout-the-elder-scrolls-doom-and-more|url-status=live|archive-date=September 21, 2020|title=Microsoft Acquires Bethesda, The Studio Behind Fallout, The Elder Scrolls, Doom, And More|magazine=Game Informer|date=September 21, 2020|access-date=September 22, 2020}}</ref> On March 9, 2021, the acquisition was finalized and ZeniMax Media became part of Microsoft's Xbox Game Studios division.<ref>{{cite web|first=Matt T.M.|last=Kim|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/microsofts-zenimax-acquisition-officially-complete-bethesda-now-a-part-of-xbox|title=Microsoft's ZeniMax Acquisition Officially Complete, Bethesda Now a Part of Xbox|website=IGN|date=March 10, 2021|access-date=March 10, 2021}}</ref> The total price of the deal was $8.1 billion.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://microsoft.gcs-web.com/static-files/0a2b8528-fb8b-4d11-8da2-fd9fa988a155|title=Form 10-K|page=39|website=[[U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission|SEC]]|date=June 30, 2021|access-date=August 7, 2021|archive-date=August 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210806183040/https://microsoft.gcs-web.com/static-files/0a2b8528-fb8b-4d11-8da2-fd9fa988a155|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On September 22, 2020, Microsoft announced that it had an exclusive license to use [[OpenAI]]'s GPT-3 artificial intelligence language generator.<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=OpenAI is giving Microsoft exclusive access to its GPT-3 language model |url=https://www.technologyreview.com/2020/09/23/1008729/openai-is-giving-microsoft-exclusive-access-to-its-gpt-3-language-model/ |date=September 23, 2020 |last=Hao |first=Karen |access-date=September 26, 2020 |magazine=[[MIT Technology Review]] |language=en |quote="On September 22, Microsoft announced that it would begin exclusively licensing GPT-3, the world's largest language model, built by San Francisco–based OpenAI."}}</ref> The previous version of [[GPT-3]], called [[GPT-2]], made headlines for being "too dangerous to release" and had numerous capabilities, including designing websites, prescribing medication, answering questions, and penning articles.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/microsoft-openai-gpt-3-exclusive-b550673.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220514/http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/microsoft-openai-gpt-3-exclusive-b550673.html |archive-date=May 14, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Microsoft gets exclusive access to AI deemed 'too dangerous to release'|access-date=September 24, 2020|website=Independent|date=September 23, 2020}}</ref>

On November 10, 2020, Microsoft released the [[Xbox Series X and Series S|Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S]] video game consoles.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The all-new Xbox Series X {{!}} Xbox|url=https://www.xbox.com/en-US/consoles/xbox-series-x|access-date=December 2, 2020|website=Xbox.com|language=en}}</ref>

In February 2021, Microsoft released [[Azure Quantum]] for public preview.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Microsoft's quantum cloud computing plans take another big step forward |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/microsofts-quantum-cloud-computing-plans-take-another-big-step-forward/ |date=1 Feb 2021 |last1=Leprince-Ringuet |first1=Daphne |access-date=2024-09-04 |website=ZDNet |language=en-US}}</ref> The public cloud computing platform provides access to quantum software and quantum hardware including [[trapped ion quantum computer|trapped ion]], [[neutral atom quantum computer|neutral atom]], and [[superconducting quantum computing|superconducting]] systems.<ref>{{Cite web |title=What is Azure Quantum?|url=https://www.techtarget.com/whatis/definition/Azure-Quantum |last1=Gillis |first1=Alexander |website=Tech Target |access-date=2024-09-04}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Microsoft says it's cracked the code on an important quantum computing problem |url=https://www.theverge.com/2024/4/8/24120103/microsoft-says-its-cracked-the-code-on-an-important-quantum-computing-problem |access-date=2024-09-04 |date=8 Apr 2024 |last1=David |first1=Emilia |website=The Verge |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Microsoft adds Pasqal's neutral-atom processors to its Azure Quantum cloud computing lineup |url=https://www.geekwire.com/2022/microsoft-adds-pasqals-neutral-atom-processors-to-its-azure-quantum-cloud-computing-lineup/#:~:text=Microsoft's%20Azure%20Quantum%20cloud%20computing%20service%20will%20be |access-date=2024-09-04 |date=21 Mar 2024 |last1=Boyle |first1=Alan |website=GeekWire |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Microsoft adds Rigetti quantum computing to Azure cloud |url=https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/news/microsoft-adds-rigetti-quantum-computing-to-azure-cloud/ |access-date=2024-09-04 |date=7 Dec 2021 |last1=Moss |first1=Sebastian |website=Data Center Dynamics |language=en-US}}</ref>

In April 2021, Microsoft announced it would buy [[Nuance Communications]] for approximately $16 billion.<ref>{{Cite news|date=April 12, 2021|title=Microsoft to buy AI firm Nuance Communications for about $16 billion in healthcare push|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-nuance-commns-m-a-microsoft-idUSKBN2BZ1FS|access-date=April 12, 2021}}</ref> The acquisition of Nuance was completed in March 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 5, 2022 |title=Microsoft Completes Acquisition of Nuance |url=https://www.finsmes.com/2022/03/microsoft-completes-acquisition-of-nuance.html |access-date=March 6, 2022 |website=FinSMEs |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2021, in part due to the strong quarterly earnings spurred by the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], Microsoft's valuation came to nearly $2 trillion. The increased necessity for [[remote work]] and [[distance education]] drove demand for [[cloud computing]] and grew the company's gaming sales.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Tilley |first=Aaron |date=April 27, 2021|title=Microsoft Sales Show Strong Growth in Gaming, Cloud|language=en-US|work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/microsoft-msft-3q-earnings-report-2021-11619475788|access-date=April 29, 2021|issn=0099-9660}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Tilley|first=Aaron|date=March 27, 2020|title=One Business Winner Amid Coronavirus Lockdowns: the Cloud|language=en-US|work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/one-business-winner-amid-coronavirus-lockdowns-the-cloud-11585327905|access-date=April 29, 2021|issn=0099-9660}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=FY21 Q2 – Press Releases – Investor Relations – Microsoft|url=https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/Investor/earnings/FY-2021-Q2/press-release-webcast|access-date=April 29, 2021|website=www.microsoft.com}}</ref>

On June 24, 2021, Microsoft announced [[Windows 11]] during a Livestream. The announcement came with confusion after Microsoft announced Windows 10 would be the last version of the operating system.<ref>{{Cite web|date=June 24, 2021|title=Microsoft has officially announced Windows 11!|url=https://www.windowscentral.com/windows-11-announcement|access-date=June 24, 2021|website=Windows Central}}</ref> It was released to the general public on October 5, 2021.<ref>{{cite news |title=Windows 11 available on October 5 |url=https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2021/08/31/windows-11-available-on-october-5/ |website=Windows Experience Blog |access-date=October 20, 2021 |date=August 31, 2021|last1=Blog |first1=Windows Experience }}</ref>

In September 2021, it was announced that the company had acquired Takelessons, an online platform that connects students and tutors in numerous subjects. The acquisition positioned Microsoft to grow its presence in the market of providing online education to large numbers of people.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Microsoft acquires TakeLessons, an online and in-person tutoring platform, to ramp up its edtech play |url=https://www.techcrunch.com/2021/09/10/microsoft-acquires-takelessons-an-online-and-in-person-tutoring-platform-to-ramp-up-its-edtech-play | website=TechCrunch |date=September 10, 2021 |last=Lundun |first=Ingrid |access-date=December 18, 2022}}</ref> In the same month, Microsoft acquired Australia-based video editing software company [[Clipchamp]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Microsoft acquires video creation and editing software maker Clipchamp|url=https://techcrunch.com/2021/09/08/microsoft-acquires-video-creation-and-editing-software-maker-clipchamp/|last=Perez|first=Sarah|website=TechCrunch|date=September 8, 2021|access-date=January 5, 2023}}</ref>

In October 2021, Microsoft announced that it began rolling out end-to-end encryption (E2EE) support for Microsoft Teams calls in order to secure business communication while using video conferencing software. Users can ensure that their calls are encrypted and can utilize a security code that both parties on a call must verify on their respective ends.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.techradar.com/news/microsoft-teams-calls-are-getting-a-major-security-upgrade|title=Microsoft Teams calls are getting a major security upgrade|website=Tech Radar|date=October 22, 2021|author=Anthony Spadafora|access-date=October 22, 2021}}</ref> On October 7, Microsoft acquired Ally.io, a software service that measures companies' progress against [[OKR]]s. Microsoft plans to incorporate Ally.io into its Viva family of employee experience products.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2021/10/07/microsoft-acquires-ally-io-okr-startup-that-raised-76-million/|title=Microsoft acquires Ally.io, OKR startup that raised $76 million|website=Tech Crunch|date=October 7, 2021|author1=Ron Miller|author2=Alex Wilhelm|access-date=November 12, 2021}}</ref>

On January 18, 2022, Microsoft announced the acquisition of American video game developer and [[holding company]] [[Activision Blizzard]] in an all-cash deal worth $68.7 billion.<ref name="Warren2022">{{Cite web|last=Warren|first=Tom|date=January 18, 2022|title=Microsoft to acquire Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion|url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/1/18/22889258/microsoft-activision-blizzard-xbox-acquisition-call-of-duty-overwatch|access-date=January 18, 2022|website=[[The Verge]]}}</ref> Activision Blizzard is best known for producing franchises, including but not limited to ''[[Warcraft]]'', ''[[Diablo (series)|Diablo]]'', ''[[Call of Duty]]'', ''[[StarCraft]]'', ''[[Candy Crush Saga]]'', ''[[Crash Bandicoot]]'', ''[[Spyro]]'', ''[[Tony Hawk's]]'', ''[[Guitar Hero]]'', and ''[[Overwatch]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Anne|first=Melissa|date=January 19, 2022|title=Microsoft just bought Warcraft creator Activision-Blizzard for $69 billion – MEGPlay|url=https://megplay.com/microsoft-bought-activision-blizzard/|access-date=January 19, 2022|language=en-US|archive-date=January 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220121033718/https://megplay.com/microsoft-bought-activision-blizzard/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Activision and Microsoft each released statements saying the acquisition was to benefit their businesses in the [[metaverse]], many saw Microsoft's acquisition of video game studios as an attempt to compete against [[Meta Platforms]], with ''[[TheStreet]]'' referring to Microsoft wanting to become "the [[The Walt Disney Company|Disney]] of the metaverse".<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Patnaik|first1=Subrat|last2=Mukherjee|first2=Supantha|date=January 19, 2022|title=Microsoft to gobble up Activision in $69 billion metaverse bet|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/microsoft-buy-activision-blizzard-deal-687-billion-2022-01-18/|access-date=January 20, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Tedder|first=Michael|title=Microsoft Purchases Activision Blizzard; Plans To Dominates The Metaverse|url=https://www.thestreet.com/investing/microsoft-wants-to-be-the-disney-of-video-games-metaverse|access-date=January 20, 2022|website=TheStreet|date=January 18, 2022 |language=en-us}}</ref> Microsoft also named [[Phil Spencer (business executive)|Phil Spencer]], head of the Xbox brand since 2014, the inaugural CEO of the newly established [[Microsoft Gaming]] division, which now houses the Xbox operations team and the three publishers in the company's portfolio (Xbox Game Studios, ZeniMax Media, Activision Blizzard). Microsoft has not released statements regarding Activision's recent legal controversies regarding employee abuse, but reports have alleged that Activision CEO [[Bobby Kotick]], a major target of the controversy, will leave the company after the acquisition is finalized.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Tilley|first2=Cara |last2=Lombardo |first3=Kirsten |last3=Grind  |first1=Aaron|date=January 18, 2022|title=WSJ News Exclusive {{!}} Microsoft to Buy Activision Blizzard in All-Cash Deal Valued at $75 Billion|language=en-US|work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/microsoft-to-buy-activision-blizzard-games-11642512435|access-date=January 20, 2022|issn=0099-9660}}</ref> The deal was closed on October 13, 2023.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/microsoft-has-officially-completed-its-acquisition-of-activision-blizzard/| title = Microsoft has officially completed its acquisition of Activision Blizzard | first = Tom | last = Ivan | date = October 13, 2023 | access-date = October 13, 2023 | work = [[Video Games Chronicle]] }}</ref>

In December 2022, Microsoft announced a new 10-year deal with the [[London Stock Exchange Group]] for products including Microsoft Azure; Microsoft acquired around 4% of LSEG as part of the deal.<ref>{{Cite web |first1=Matt |last1=Clinch |first2=Arjun |last2=Kharpal |title=Microsoft buys near 4% stake in London Stock Exchange Group as part of 10-year cloud deal |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/12/12/microsoft-buys-near-4percent-stake-in-london-stock-exchange-and-launches-10-year-partnership.html |date=December 12, 2022 |website=CNBC |language=en}}</ref>

In January 2023, CEO Satya Nadella announced Microsoft would lay off some 10,000 employees.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Weise |first1=Karen |title=Microsoft to Lay Off 10,000 Workers as It Looks to Trim Costs |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/18/business/microsoft-layoffs.html |access-date=January 18, 2023 |work=The New York Times |date=January 18, 2023}}</ref> The announcement came a day after hosting a [[Sting (musician)|Sting]] concert for 50 people, including Microsoft executives, in [[Davos]], Switzerland.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Taylor |first=Chloe |date=January 20, 2023 |title=Microsoft under fire for hosting private Sting concert for its execs in Davos the night before announcing mass layoffs |url=https://fortune.com/2023/01/20/microsoft-under-fire-hosting-private-sting-concert-execs-davos-night-before-announcing-mass-layoffs/ |access-date=January 23, 2023 |website=Fortune |language=en}}</ref>

On January 23, 2023, Microsoft announced a new multi-year, multi-billion dollar investment deal with [[ChatGPT]] developer [[OpenAI]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Capoot |first=Ashley |title=Microsoft announces multibillion-dollar investment in ChatGPT-maker OpenAI |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2023/01/23/microsoft-announces-multibillion-dollar-investment-in-chatgpt-maker-openai.html |access-date=January 23, 2023 |website=CNBC |date=January 23, 2023 |language=en}}</ref>

In June 2023, Microsoft released Azure Quantum Elements to run molecular simulations and calculations in [[computational chemistry]] and materials science using a combination of AI, high-performance computing and [[quantum computing]].<ref name="AQE">{{Cite web |title=Microsoft Debuts Azure Quantum Elements and Azure Quantum Copilot LLM |url=https://www.hpcwire.com/2023/06/22/microsoft-debuts-azure-quantum-elements-and-azure-quantum-copilot-llm/|date=22 Jun 2023 |last1=Russell |first1=John |access-date=2024-09-04 |website=HPCwire |language=en-US}}</ref> The service includes Copilot, a GPT-4 based large language model tool to query and visualize data, write code, initiate simulations, and educate researchers.<ref name="AQE" />

At a November 2023 developer conference, Microsoft announced two new custom-designed computing chips: The Maia chip, designed to run large language models, and Cobalt CPU, designed to power general cloud services on Azure.<ref>{{cite web |title=Microsoft introduces its own chips for AI, with eye on cost |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/microsoft-introduces-its-own-chips-ai-with-eye-cost-2023-11-15/ |access-date=December 14, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Microsoft is finally making custom chips — and they're all about AI |date=November 15, 2023 |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/11/15/23960345/microsoft-cpu-gpu-ai-chips-azure-maia-cobalt-specifications-cloud-infrastructure |publisher=The Verge |access-date=December 14, 2023}}</ref>

On November 20, 2023, Satya Nadella announced that [[Sam Altman]], who had been [[Removal of Sam Altman from OpenAI|ousted as CEO of OpenAI]] just days earlier, and [[Greg Brockman]], who had resigned as president, would join Microsoft to lead a new advanced AI research team.<ref>{{Cite web|url=	https://twitter.com/satyanadella/status/1726509045803336122 |title=	Satyan Adella on X |website=	X |access-date=	November 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120082141/https://twitter.com/satyanadella/status/1726509045803336122 |archive-date=	November 20, 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=	https://www.cnbc.com/2023/11/20/ousted-openai-head-sam-altman-to-lead-microsofts-new-ai-team-ceo-nadella-says.html |title=	Ousted OpenAI head Sam Altman to lead Microsoft's new AI team |website=CNBC |date=	November 20, 2023 |access-date=	November 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120084752/https://www.cnbc.com/2023/11/20/ousted-openai-head-sam-altman-to-lead-microsofts-new-ai-team-ceo-nadella-says.html |archive-date=	November 20, 2023 }}</ref> However, the plan was short-lived, as Altman was subsequently reinstated as OpenAI's CEO and Brockman rejoined the company amid pressure from OpenAI's employees and investors on its board.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/22/business/dealbook/openai-altman-microsoft-board.html |title=The Fallout From Sam Altman's Return to OpenAI |date=November 22, 2023 |last1=Ross Sorkin |first1=Andrew |last2=Mattu |first2=Ravi |last3=Warner |first3=Bernhard |last4=Kessler |first4=Sarah |last5=de la Merced |first5=Michael |last6=Hirsch |first6=Lauren |last7=Livni |first7=Ephrat |work=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=November 23, 2023 |archive-date=December 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231217010304/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/22/business/dealbook/openai-altman-microsoft-board.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In March 2024, [[Inflection AI]]'s cofounders [[Mustafa Suleyman]] and Karen Simonyan announced their departure from the company in order to start Microsoft AI, with Microsoft [[acqui-hiring]] nearly the entirety of its 70-person workforce. As part of the deal, Microsoft paid Inflection $650&nbsp;million to license its technology.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Weise |first1=Karen |last2=Metz |first2=Cade |date=March 19, 2024 |title=Microsoft Hires DeepMind Co-Founder to Run Consumer A.I. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/19/technology/mustafa-suleyman-google-gemini.html |work=The New York Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240429163253/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/19/technology/mustafa-suleyman-google-gemini.html |archive-date=April 29, 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Griffith |first1=Erin |last2=Metz |first2=Cade |date=August 8, 2024 |title=The New A.I. Deal: Buy Everything but the Company |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/08/technology/ai-start-ups-google-microsoft-amazon.html |work=The New York Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240907221045/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/08/technology/ai-start-ups-google-microsoft-amazon.html |archive-date=September 7, 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In January 2024, Microsoft became the most valued publicly traded company. Meanwhile, that month, the company announced a subscription offering of artificial intelligence for small businesses via Copilot Pro.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Novet |first=Jordan |date=January 12, 2024 |title=Microsoft tops Apple as world's most valuable public company |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2024/01/12/microsoft-tops-apple-in-market-cap-at-fridays-close.html |access-date=January 14, 2024 |website=CNBC |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Novet |first=Jordan |date=January 15, 2024 |title=Microsoft brings Copilot AI assistant to small businesses and launches a premium tier for individuals |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2024/01/15/microsoft-brings-copilot-to-small-businesses-launches-copilot-pro.html |access-date=January 15, 2024 |website=CNBC |language=en}}</ref>

In April 2024, Microsoft made a $1.5 billion investment in the Emirati AI firm [[G42 (company)|G42]]. As part of the deal, G42 said it would use the Microsoft Azure platform for its AI development and deployment.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 16, 2024 |title=Microsoft to invest $1.5 bln in Emirati AI firm G42, takes minority stake |url=https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/microsoft-invest-15-bln-emirati-ai-firm-g42-new-york-times-reports-2024-04-16/ |access-date=April 16, 2024 |website=Reuters |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Microsoft to invest $1.5bn in Abu Dhabi AI group G42 |url=https://www.ft.com/content/930a1c17-2e84-4ddb-8e72-4e4a1b833c40 |access-date=2024-04-16 |last1=Cornish |first1=Chloe |last2=Hammond |first2=George |date=April 16, 2024 |work=[[Financial Times]] |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240416041625/https://www.ft.com/content/930a1c17-2e84-4ddb-8e72-4e4a1b833c40 |archive-date=April 16, 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref> Later that month, Microsoft unveiled plans to invest $1.7 billion in developing AI and cloud infrastructure in Indonesia. The plan includes establishment of data centers and partnerships to support digital transformation efforts.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 30, 2024 |title=Microsoft To Invest $1.7 Billion To Develop AI, Cloud Infrastructure In Indonesia|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/yessarrosendar/2024/04/30/microsoft-to-invest-17-billion-to-develop-ai-cloud-infrastructure-in-indonesia/?sh=6ceee60a7e5c |access-date=April 30, 2024 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref>

In May 2024, Microsoft announced a $3.3 billion investment to build an artificial intelligence hub in southeast [[Wisconsin]], tripling its initial proposal. This initiative, unveiled by President [[Joe Biden]] in [[Racine County, Wisconsin|Racine County]], includes constructing a data center, creating 2,300 construction jobs by 2025, and 2,000 permanent jobs over time, alongside establishing an AI co-innovation lab at [[University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee|UW-Milwaukee]] to train up to 1,000 individuals by 2030.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schmidt |first=Mitchell |date=2024-05-09 |title=What to know about Microsoft's $3.3 billion data center in southeast Wisconsin |url=https://madison.com/news/state-regional/business/wisconsin-microsoft-artificial-intelligence-racine-biden-evers-trump-foxconn-manufacturing-data-center/article_3b0f4012-0d42-11ef-a7db-9325e7c8bc73.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240515115627/https://madison.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/wisconsin-microsoft-artificial-intelligence-racine-biden-evers-trump-foxconn-manufacturing-data-center/article_3b0f4012-0d42-11ef-a7db-9325e7c8bc73.html#selection-3893.0-4397.143 |archive-date=15 May 2024 |access-date=2024-05-15 |website=Wisconsin State Journal |language=en}}</ref>

In June 2024, Microsoft announced it would be laying off 1,000 employees from the company's mixed reality and Azure cloud computing divisions.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Novet |first=Jordan |date=2024-06-03 |title=Microsoft confirms layoffs in mixed reality but will keep selling HoloLens 2 headsets |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2024/06/03/microsoft-confirms-mixed-reality-layoffs-will-keep-selling-hololens-2.html |access-date=2024-06-04 |website=CNBC |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Stewart |first=Ashley |date=June 3, 2024 |title=Microsoft is laying off hundreds in its Azure cloud business, sources say |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/microsoft-cuts-azure-jobs-cloud-2024-6 |access-date=2024-06-04 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}}</ref>

In June 2024, Microsoft announced that they were building a "hyperscale data centre" in South East Leeds.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-06-28 |title=Microsoft to build 'hyperscale data centre' near Leeds |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy79eww4g8go |access-date=2024-06-29 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> In July 2024, it was reported that the company was laying off its [[diversity, equity, and inclusion]] (DEI) team.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stewart |first=Ashley |title=Microsoft laid off a DEI team, and its lead wrote an internal email blasting how DEI is 'no longer business critical' |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/microsoft-layoffs-dei-leader-email-2024-7 |access-date=2024-07-16 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Valentine |first=Rebekah |date=2024-07-16 |title=Microsoft DEI Lead Blasts Company in Internal Email After Team Is Reportedly Laid Off |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/microsoft-dei-lead-blasts-company-in-internal-email-after-team-is-reportedly-laid-off |access-date=2024-07-16 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref>

On July 19, 2024, a [[2024 CrowdStrike-related IT outages|global IT outage]] impacted Microsoft services, affecting businesses, airlines, and financial institutions worldwide. The outage was traced back to a flawed update of [[CrowdStrike]]'s cybersecurity software, which resulted in Microsoft systems crashing and causing disruptions across various sectors. Despite CrowdStrike's CEO [[George Kurtz]] clarifying that the issue was not a cyberattack, the incident had widespread consequences, leading to delays in air travel, financial transactions, and medical services globally. Microsoft stated that the underlying cause had been fixed but acknowledged ongoing residual impacts on some [[Microsoft 365]] apps and services.<ref>{{cite web |date=July 19, 2024 |title=Microsoft Cloud Technical Outage Updates |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/live-blog/2024-07-19/microsoft-cloud-technical-outage-updates?sref=JTShqBgB |access-date=July 19, 2024 |publisher=Bloomberg}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=July 19, 2024 |title=Internet Global Outage: CrowdStrike and Microsoft Downtime |url=https://apnews.com/live/internet-global-outage-crowdstrike-microsoft-downtime |access-date=July 19, 2024 |publisher=Associated Press}}</ref>

In September 2024, [[BlackRock]] and Microsoft announced a $30 billion fund, the Global AI Infrastructure Investment Partnership, to invest in AI infrastructure such as data centers and energy projects. The fund has the potential to reach $100 billion with debt financing, and partners include [[Abu Dhabi]]-backed MGX and [[Nvidia]], which will provide AI expertise. Investments will primarily focus on the U.S., with some in partner countries.<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 18, 2024 |title=Microsoft, BlackRock to launch $30 billion fund for AI infrastructure |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/artificial-intelligence/microsoft-blackrock-plan-30-bln-fund-invest-ai-infrastructure-ft-reports-2024-09-17/ |work=Reuters}}</ref> Microsoft also announced relaunch of its controversial tool, Recall, in November 2024 after addressing privacy concerns. Initially criticized for taking regular screenshots without user consent, Recall was changed to an opt-in feature instead of being default on. The UK's Information Commissioner's Office monitored the situation and noted the adjustments, which included enhanced security measures like encryption and biometric access. While experts regarded these changes as improvements, they advised caution, with some recommending further testing before users opted in.<ref>{{cite news|last=Kleinman |first=Zoe |title=Microsoft re-launches 'privacy nightmare' AI screenshot tool |date=27 September 2024 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c869glx8endo |access-date=29 September 2024}}</ref>

On February 28, 2025, Microsoft announced that Skype would be shutting down on May 5, 2025, to streamline its focus on Microsoft Teams. The company stated there would be no job cuts due to the shutdown.<ref>{{cite news|last=Bhuiyan |first=Johana |title=Microsoft is shutting down Skype after over two decades |date=28 February 2025 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/feb/28/microsoft-skype |website=The Guardian |access-date=1 March 2025}}</ref>

On April 4, 2025, it celebrated its [[50th anniversary]].<ref name="ms_50th">{{Cite web|url=https://news.microsoft.com/microsoft-50/|title=Microsoft celebrates 50 years|website=Microsoft celebrates 50 years}}</ref>

On May 30, 2025, it was reported that Microsoft's Russian division would be preparing to file for bankruptcy, days after President [[Vladimir Putin]] stated that foreign services providers should be throttled in Russia to make way for domestic software, which included Microsoft. The company previously restructured operations in Russia back in June 2022 after being significantly impacted from the Ukraine war, but they stated those restructuring efforts have failed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/microsoft-unit-russia-file-bankruptcy-database-shows-2025-05-30/|title=Microsoft unit in Russia to file for bankruptcy, database shows|date=May 30, 2025|access-date=May 30, 2025|website=Reuters|language=en}}</ref>