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Microsoft On the Issues

Microsoft On the Issues

Technology, Information and Internet

Redmond, Washington 81,579 followers

News & perspectives on today's pressing tech issues, AI, sustainability, security and more for #Microsoft. 👇

About us

News and perspectives on the future of tech, public policy and philanthropic topics for #Microsoft. ➡️ https://blogs.microsoft.com/on-the-issues/

Website
https://blogs.microsoft.com/on-the-issues/
Industry
Technology, Information and Internet
Company size
10,001+ employees
Headquarters
Redmond, Washington
Specialties
technology, government affairs, AI and Data, privacy, cybersecurity, tech news, tech issues, accessibility, diversity and inclusion, sustainability, digital skilling, AI, Affordable Housing, Public Affairs, tech executives, responsible AI, and AI ethics

Updates

  • The new year brings new opportunity for success in American technology and economic competitiveness. AI promises to drive innovation and boost productivity in every sector of the economy, and the U.S. can lead this new technology wave.    Microsoft’s three-part vision for this success focuses on advancements and investments of over $80B in AI technology and infrastructure, skilling programs for AI adoption, and exporting American AI to allies.   Read more from our Vice Chair and President Brad Smith: https://lnkd.in/g3SMrQGz #AI #TechForGood #AIForGood

    • A breakdown of Microsoft's 2025 AI investments in America.
  • As the NFL Draft kicks off in Green Bay, another exciting draft is taking center stage—the Startup Draft, created by TitletownTech, Microsoft, and the Green Bay Packers. 🏈 This initiative supports high-potential startups, giving them the resources and connections they need to tackle industry challenges and scale quickly. The winner will receive a $1M investment from TitletownTech, $350K in Azure credits from Microsoft, and the backing of a community committed to helping them scale and succeed. We are excited to introduce the finalists of this year’s Startup Draft. These companies have demonstrated exceptional vision, growth potential, and a commitment to solving real-world problems. ⚡ Ateios Systems (Newberry, IN) – Revolutionizing battery manufacturing with a chemistry-agnostic platform that reduces costs, increases battery life, and accelerates production speeds. 🧬 Avant Genomics (Charlottesville, VA) – Automating liquid biopsy sample preparation to make cancer detection more efficient and accessible. 🌍 CubeNexus Inc (Tulsa, OK) – Innovating geospatial technology to provide enhanced spatial awareness and GPS-denied locationing for industries like telecommunications, aviation, and energy. 💻 Devii (Fargo, ND) – Offering a low-code platform to streamline API and data management, reducing development time and improving operational efficiency. 🛠️ Shelfmark (Pittsburgh, PA) – AI-driven visual inspection automation to help manufacturers reduce waste, improve quality, and boost efficiency. 🛰️ SpaceRake (Cambridge, MA) – Developing laser communication systems to solve the problem of radio frequency jamming in defense and aerospace. 👁️ Ubicept (Madison, WI) – Advancing computer vision with high-performance imaging systems designed for complex environments in industries like autonomous vehicles and industrial inspection. Find out who will win April 24! 🏅 https://msft.it/6043q7AxL

  • Microsoft On the Issues reposted this

    View profile for Mary Snapp

    Vice President, Strategic Initiatives, Microsoft Corporate External & Legal Affairs

    The Nobel Prizes celebrate the power of research to benefit humanity. It's no surprise that Stockholm—the birthplace of Alfred Nobel—is showing the world how #AI can unlock new doors in research that were unimaginable just a few years ago. With strong support from the Swedish government, Barncancerfonden launched Project BrainChild, a major step forward in its mission to eliminate childhood cancer. It's an incredible preview of potential breakthroughs on the horizon.

  • Private companies are selling hacking tools to the highest bidder—and it’s putting global security and human rights at risk. The cyber mercenary market is growing fast, offering tools like spyware, ransomware, and destructive malware to governments, criminals, and private actors alike. What makes it especially dangerous is how difficult it is to track, regulate, or hold anyone accountable. Behind the scenes, these actors are: 🔹 Exploiting zero-day vulnerabilities 🔹 Targeting journalists, civil society, and political opposition 🔹 Operating across borders with minimal oversight With no global rules in place, the line between state action and criminal activity is getting harder to see. Microsoft partnered with Foreign Policy Analytics on a new report that highlights the growing threat of cyber mercenaries, and we’re supporting international efforts to close the gaps that allow it to thrive. 👉 Learn more: https://msft.it/6043qAOiN

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  • AI is changing the world in remarkable ways, from improving health care and education to making life easier for people with disabilities. It’s transforming how people live and work, and its ability to analyze large amounts of complex data is enabling scientists to study the Amazon rainforest in Colombia, helping sugar cane farmers optimize crops in India and more. Here are six ways Microsoft AI is bringing positive change around the world: https://msft.it/6047q2TOU

  • AI is reshaping the future of work and creating new opportunities by increasing productivity and innovation. Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence (HAI) #AIIndex2025 highlights trends in the global AI landscape, showcasing its impact on industries, economies, and workforce development. Microsoft and LinkedIn contributed data to the AI Index Report, which is helping shape our understanding of how AI is evolving. A key finding of the report is how AI is boosting productivity and bridging skills gaps. One study showed that AI tools, like generative AI assistants, can boost productivity by 15%–particularly benefiting less experienced workers and skilled-trade workers. As AI continues to increase productivity, Microsoft is committed to equipping people with the skills they need to leverage AI. This year alone, we’re on a path to train 2.5 million American students, workers, and community members with new skills to secure jobs, explore new career paths, and launch businesses. Read more insights from the report from Juan M. Lavista Ferres: https://msft.it/6042qFDR8

    • The image is the cover of a report titled "Artificial Intelligence Index Report 2025." The background is dark blue with colorful, wavy lines in red and blue, representing data or digital waves. The title text is white and positioned at the top left. At the bottom right, there are logos for Stanford University and its Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence (HAI) initiative.
    • A bar chart titled "Distribution of productivity gains from AI use" shows the percentage of respondents experiencing different levels of productivity gains. The x-axis represents productivity gains in percentage ranges (0-20%, 20-40%, 40-60%, 60-80%, and 80-100%), while the y-axis represents the percentage of respondents. The data is sourced from Necula et al., 2024, and the chart is from the 2025 AI Index report. The bars show that:

46.78% of respondents experienced a productivity gain between 0–20%.
26.18% experienced a gain between 20–40%.
18.45% experienced a gain between 40–60%.
7.73% experienced a gain between 60–80%.
Only 0.86% experienced a gain between 80–100%.
  • The global recycling industry faces significant challenges, including increasing waste volumes, high labor costs, and inefficient sorting methods. Traditional recycling infrastructure simply can't keep up with the rising demand. Now AI is helping to transform the recycling industry. Backed by Microsoft’s Climate Innovation Fund, AMP combines AI-powered systems with cutting-edge robotic hardware to recover more commodities than ever before while drastically reducing inefficiencies. AMP's AI-driven solutions identify and process over 50 billion objects annually, achieving an impressive recovery rate of over 90%—all without human intervention. By revolutionizing material sortation and driving environmental progress, AMP is not just tackling global recycling challenges; they’re setting new standards for the circular economy and building a sustainable future. ♻️

    • How AI is Reimagining Recycling  

AMP’s facilities and fleet of AI-powered robots are increasing recycling rates, enhancing sortation efforts, and expanding non-landfill options.
    • AMP's technology helps recover more  materials, enhance sustainability, and reduce their environmental impact. AMP's real-time data analytics also enable operators to optimize processes, fostering a sustainable and economical future for recycling.
    • Explore AMP’s technology:  

AMP Vision ™ delivers real time material characterization 

AMP Jet ™ identifies and tracks individual items based on material and size 

The AMP Delta ™ robotic sortation system processes materials and is 
4x faster than manual sorting 

AMP Vac™ removes the thin film that clogs equipment and contaminates bale purity with an array of belt-mounted vacuum tubes
    • Tackling global recycling challenges with AI 

Up to 99% success in identifying recyclable materials that pass through their systems 

Over 650 million pounds diverted from landfills annually
  • AI is transforming industries like agriculture, manufacturing, and transportation, and access to digital skills is key to ensuring every community benefits. Through the Microsoft Datacenter Academy, and a partnership with the Virginia Center for Information Technology Excellence (CITE) program, students at Southside Virginia Community College and the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center are gaining hands-on training and industry certifications that prepare them for IT and datacenter jobs. As datacenters expand in the region, this program provides a direct path to local career opportunities in a growing field. At Microsoft, we’re committed to supporting workforce development in rural America by helping students build the skills needed for the jobs of an AI-powered economy.

  • This year, Microsoft marks 50 years of progress, innovation, and impact. ✨ From our beginnings in Albuquerque to helping shape the future of AI, the journey has been driven by a belief in the power of technology to empower every person and every organization on the planet. Milestones like the launch of Windows 95, the first Xbox, and advancements in accessibility and sustainability reflect the values we’ve carried with us—and the people who’ve brought them to life. As we celebrate this anniversary, we’re not just looking back—we’re continuing to focus on the challenges ahead and the responsibility we share in addressing them.

    • The image shows Microsoft in its early years with a group of people gathered on the grass in front of a building holding the Microsoft sign.
    • 
The image shows Bill Gates standing in front of a large Xbox sign in Times Square, New York City. He is holding an Xbox controller and wearing a black jacket with the Xbox logo on it. To his right, there is an original Xbox console on a stand. The background is filled with bright lights and advertisements, typical of Times Square
    • The image shows a presentation/event for the launch of Microsoft Windows 95. The stage is set with a large screen displaying the Windows 95 logo and the text "Microsoft Windows 95."
    • The image shows a person standing on a stage, delivering a presentation. The background features a large screen displaying Rome, with notable landmarks such as the Colosseum. The screen also has a text overlay that reads, "Leading in the new age of AI." The audience is visible in the foreground, attentively watching the presentation.

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