Microsoft

Artificial intelligence, or AI, is a big idea with an equally big opportunity. AI is slated to add $15.7 trillion to global gross domestic product (GDP) by 2030, according to […]

Microsoft Corp surpassed Apple Inc to become the world’s most valuable publicly traded company. All it took was a $300 billion rout. After briefly claiming the top spot on Monday, […]

Microsoft is spending $50 million over the next five years on making artificial intelligence technologies (AI) available to researchers and organizations that are working to protect and improve the environment.

The initiative is part of an expansion of the software giant’s AI for Earth program. First announced in July, the environmental technology initially was primarily focused on agriculture, biodiversity, water scarcity, and of course, climate change. In October, the program was expanded to include the research involving the world’s oceans and the problems affecting them, including pollution, rising sea levels and increasing acidity.

October has come and gone, and the market rally goes on and on. Numerous observers and pundits have warned of a crash or strong correction, given the length of the rally and the fundamentals of the economy, which have been noted in earlier Newsletters. The FANGs and Microsoft seem not to be influenced by any disturbing geo-political news. The Fed will probably announce another rate hike in December and possibly three more in 2018 in addition to QT at 10 billion a month.

Tax authorities in France are reportedly seeking €600m in taxes from the local subsidiary of software giant Microsoft. The company paid €32.2 million in corporate tax in France last year, and billed French customers from its operation in Ireland, where business tax rates are considerably lower, the weekly L’Express reported on Wednesday.

Tycoon Bill Gates has made his largest gift since the turn of the century, giving away Microsoft Corp shares that accounted for 5 per cent of his fortune, the world’s biggest.

The billionaire donated 64 million of the software maker’s shares valued at US$4.6 billion (S$6.26 billion) on June 6, according to a Securities & Exchange Commission filing released Monday.

Microsoft is planning layoffs as it refocuses its sales force on making the software colossus a pivotal part of businesses relying on cloud computing, according to media reports.

While many reports forecast the changes would result in thousands of job cuts, Microsoft on Monday only confirmed to AFP that changes were on the way. "Microsoft is implementing changes to better serve our customers and partners," a Microsoft spokesperson told AFP.

Concerts, museums, surgical theatres: all have in common one thing, the use or potential use of virtual or augmented reality. More and more companies in all fields are studying how to use this technology, with celebrities jumping on board like Buzz Aldrin, who created a version of himself in space to show everyone how to reach Mars.

Bands are using virtual reality to get in touch with their fans, who can now take part in concerts anywhere as long as both ends are equipped with the correct technology.