Microsoft Coverage

Feds want appeals court to block Microsoft-Activision deal

The US government said Wednesday that a federal appeals court should block Microsoft’s recent purchase of Activision because a lower-court judge was too deferential to Microsoft’s promises about the future of “Call of Duty,” a popular first-person shooter game.

OpenAI makes Sam Altman's return as CEO official, reinstates CTO

Twelve days after OpenAI fired Sam Altman as CEO, the company formally announced that it has hired him back. The company also said it has a new board.

OpenAI's cast of characters: Meet the headliners in Silicon Valley's soap opera

When technology firm OpenAI ousted its CEO Sam Altman last week with little warning and less explanation, it set off shockwaves throughout Silicon Valley and beyond. Late Tuesday, in a complete reversal, he rejoined the controversial firm he had helped found, effectively bouncing from the board some of the people who had fired him. Here's a look at key figures in the shocking story.

Sam Altman is back as CEO at OpenAI after new board takes over

The ousted leader of ChatGPT-maker OpenAI is returning to the company that fired him late last week, culminating a days-long power struggle that shocked the tech industry and brought attention to the conflicts around how to safely build artificial intelligence.

Sam Altman could return to OpenAI, concedes Microsoft's CEO

Microsoft’s CEO Satya Nadella hinted on Monday that he was still open to Sam Altman rejoining OpenAI – despite an announcement earlier in the day that Altman would join Microsoft’s artificial intelligence innovation division.

OpenAI fallout continues; 500 employees send open letter threatening to quit

The rebuke by some of OpenAI’s most senior employees also underscores Altman’s loyal following and Microsoft’s opportunity to benefit from the situation.

Microsoft hires OpenAI founders to lead AI research team after ChatGPT maker's shakeup

Microsoft announced Monday that it has hired Sam Altman and another architect of ChatGPT maker OpenAI after they unexpectedly departed the company days earlier in a corporate shakeup that shocked the artificial intelligence world.

Sam Altman joins Microsoft as OpenAI names its third CEO in 3 days

New Delhi/New York (CNN) -- Microsoft has hired Sam Altman to power up its innovation in artificial intelligence after the co-founder of OpenAI was ousted as CEO in a chaotic boardroom coup on Friday. Meanwhile, the ChatGPT company will get its third CEO in three days.

By Diksha Madhok and David Goldman, CNN

New 'Windows App' offers access to Windows PCs from any device, MacRumors reports

Microsoft is launching a "Windows App" that can remotely connect to a Windows PC and provide access to it from any platform.

Testifying in antitrust case, Google CEO defends paying billions for default search on devices

Google CEO Sundar Pichai defended his company’s practice of paying Apple and other tech companies to make Google the default search engine on their devices, saying the intent was to make the user experience “seamless and easy.’’

Microsoft shares climb after reporting surge in cloud, artificial intelligence

Microsoft on Tuesday reported a 27% increase in profit for the July-September quarter compared to the same time last year, powered by growth in its cloud computing division where it has centered its investments in artificial intelligence.

Microsoft clears last hurdle to buying Call of Duty maker Activision in $69 billion deal

Microsoft’s purchase of Call of Duty maker Activision Blizzard won final approval Friday from Britain’s competition watchdog, reversing its earlier decision to block the $69 billion gaming deal and removing the final obstacle for one of the largest tech transactions in history.

Microsoft CEO at Google trial: It's 'bogus' that there's choice in search engine market

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said Monday that he believes the search engine deal between Apple and Google has made it impossible for other search engines like Bing to compete. Here's a look at the latest in the Google antitrust trial.

AI company hoping early detection will help cancer outcomes

A unique partnership with Microsoft is aimed at helping researchers detect cancer earlier.

Colin Mayfield, WCNC

From 'digital twins' to new Microsoft partnership, SAS deepens embrace of AI

Earlier this year, SAS announced a pledge to commit $1 billion to AI-powered industry solutions. Today they're using the SAS Explore event to share some recent results of that investment.

'Transformational' change & responsible oversight: TechWire talks to UNC Health about AI

WRAL TechWire spoke with Brent Lamm, UNC Health’s Sr. VP and Chief Information Officer, and Rachini Moosavi, Chief Analytics Officer about their history and future with AI.

Microsoft revamps deal for video game maker Activision Blizzard to meet UK demands

Microsoft revamped its bid to buy video game maker Activision Blizzard on Tuesday to appease British competition regulators, who are the last major hurdle to closing one of the biggest deals in tech history.

Microsoft, Duke Health partner on AI efforts, create innovation lab

Duke Health is embarking on a five-year, innovative partnership with Microsoft aimed at responsibly and ethically harnessing the potential of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud technology to redefine the health care landscape.

New industry group including Google, OpenAI, Microsoft says it will promote AI safety

Some of the world’s top artificial intelligence companies are launching a new industry body to work together — and with policymakers and researchers — on ways to regulate the development of bleeding-edge AI.

'Leading the new AI platform shift:' Microsoft to keep focus on smart tech, CEO says

“Organizations are asking not only how – but how fast – they can apply this next generation of AI to address the biggest opportunities and challenges they face – safely and responsibly,” Microsoft's CEO says.

Big tech names commit to artificial intelligence safeguards

Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft and other companies that are leading the development of artificial intelligence technology have agreed to meet a set of AI safeguards brokered by President Joe Biden's administration.

Microsoft handing out free cybersecurity tools in response to alleged China hack

Microsoft is offering free cybersecurity tools to some government and commercial customers following criticism of the tech giant’s handling of a major alleged Chinese hack that compromised US government email accounts.

Activision, Microsoft extend deadline for $69B merger

Microsoft and Activision have mutually agreed to extend their merger deadline by three months in the face of ongoing negotiations with the UK government that could allow the $69 billion acquisition to close, the two companies announced on Wednesday.

AI, chatbots & you: Sharing sensitive info is safe, says Microsoft about new Bing offering

Microsoft on Tuesday announced a more secure version of its AI-powered Bing specifically for businesses and designed to assure professionals they can safely share potentially sensitive information with a chatbot.

Microsoft: Popular Call of Duty franchise to stay on Sony's Playstation following merger

Sony had been among the loudest critics of the acquisition. Addressing the company’s concerns about the continued availability of “Call of Duty,” one of the industry’s most popular franchises, could help Microsoft overcome any remaining opposition to the deal and usher it to a conclusion.