34 EXECUTIVE INTERVIEW partners to participate in our financial year kick-off readiness events. Additionally, based on their feedback, we integrated partners into Microsoft Ignite in November. This in-person and digital event served as a platform for business and technical decision-makers, and for Microsoft partners, to see all of our new innovations, attend breakout sessions and engage in community discussions. With the continuing growth of Azure as an infrastructural platform, and more recent innovations such as the voice and vision capabilities in Copilot, how has the general direction of travel changed for Microsoft in the past two years? Generative AI has introduced significant changes for the world and for our customers, and Microsoft has been at the forefront of these transformations. The growth of Azure as a robust platform has been pivotal in supporting the evolving needs of businesses worldwide. Azure’s scalability, security and comprehensive suite of services have enabled organisations to innovate and adapt to new work patterns seamlessly. One of the most exciting developments has been the integration of generative AI tools into our offerings. The introduction of voice and vision capabilities to Copilot is a testament to our commitment to enhancing user experiences and increasing productivity. These innovations enable Microsoft and our partners to create more intuitive and interactive services and solutions, empowering users to achieve more with less effort. Our focus on AI and its transformative potential has been a key driver of our mission to empower every customer and every organisation on the planet to achieve more. AI is being leveraged across various industries to boost productivity, enhance operational efficiencies and improve cybersecurity. Copilots automate repetitive tasks, enable faster decisionmaking and provide deeper insights through advanced analytics. In addition, our strategic partnerships and investments in AI have further solidified our position as a leader in this space. Collaborations with companies like NVIDIA and ServiceNow have expanded our AI capabilities, bringing innovative solutions to sectors such as healthcare and life sciences. Additionally, initiatives like the Global AI Infrastructure Investment Partnership – with BlackRock, Global Infrastructure Partners and MGX – are driving the development of new data centres and energy infrastructure to meet the growing demand for computing power. In June 2024, we launched Copilot+ PCs in collaboration with many of our silicon and device partners. This new category of AI-powered PCs represents a significant advancement in computing power and user experience. Copilot+ PCs deliver new AI experiences, enabling users to get more done in less time and transform the way they work, play and communicate. As highlighted in our “ Our focus on AI and its transformative potential has been a key driver of our mission”
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