logo
Microsoft on how AI saved the company more than $500 million in 2024

Microsoft on how AI saved the company more than $500 million in 2024

Time of India10-07-2025
Microsoft
has reportedly saved more than $500 million in 2024, largely due to the widespread adoption of
artificial intelligence
(AI). During a recent internal presentation, Chief Commercial Officer Judson Althoff highlighted how
AI tools
are increasing productivity across several key departments, including sales, customer service, and software engineering.
Citing a source familiar with the matter, Bloomberg reported that Althoff highlighted the substantial cost reductions in call centers as a prime example of AI's impact, noting that the technology has also led to increased satisfaction for both employees and customers.
Microsoft generating 'tens of millions of dollars in revenue'
Further expanding its AI integration, Microsoft is now beginning to utilise AI to manage interactions with its smaller customers. While this initiative is still in its early stages, Althoff reported that it is already generating tens of millions of dollars in revenue.
Althoff said that at Microsoft, AI generated about 35% of the code for new products, accelerating launch times.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Đây có thể là thời điểm tốt nhất để giao dịch vàng trong 5 năm qua
IC Markets
Tìm hiểu thêm
Undo
According to the executive, AI can make Microsoft employees more effective as sellers. He said that through the use of Microsoft's
Copilot AI
assistant, each salesperson is finding more leads, closing deals quicker and generating 9% more revenue.
The news of these AI-driven efficiencies arrives soon after workforce reductions at the company. Microsoft has laid off approximately 15,000 employees so far this year. Microsoft executives have, however, reportedly downplayed a direct correlation between the layoffs and the adoption of AI.
Microsoft President Brad Smith recently said that productivity gains from AI were 'not a predominant factor' in the job reductions of recent months.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Moutai Posts Worst Growth in Years as Chinese Cut Back on Liquor
Moutai Posts Worst Growth in Years as Chinese Cut Back on Liquor

Mint

time25 minutes ago

  • Mint

Moutai Posts Worst Growth in Years as Chinese Cut Back on Liquor

(Bloomberg) -- Kweichow Moutai Co. delivered its worst six-month growth in sales or profit in years as China's top distiller struggles with weak consumer demand for premium beverages. First-half revenue increased 9.2% from a year earlier to 91.09 billion yuan ($12.7 billion), while net income climbed 8.9% to 45.4 billion yuan, the company reported Tuesday. Those are the slowest semiannual increases since at least 2016, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The distiller, which has targeted sales growth of about 9% for the year, has seen flagship liquor Feitian's wholesale price — the fee Moutai distributors charge alcohol retailers — continue to slide and even reach a record low this year, as consumers pulled back on spending amid economic uncertainty in China. Wholesale prices for Feitian 2024 and Feitian 2025 in original packaging have declined by 16% to 17% year-to-date, according to Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Ada Li. In a further blow to liquor prices, China's government in May issued a notice reminding officials to cut wasteful spending on travel, food and office space. The austerity drive could further risk tanking demand for liquor at government banquets and corporate events. The company even replaced its signature liquor with blueberry juice at a buffet during its annual shareholders meeting that month, local media reported. To address falling prices, Moutai distributors in some provinces have adopted supply restrictions to channels including e-commerce platforms, according to a local media report. Still, Moutai's earnings have been largely shielded from the volatility in wholesale prices as it sells its sorghum-based liquor, known as baijiu, to distributors at a fixed price of 1,169 yuan per 500 milliliter bottle. Smaller baijiu makers have been more exposed. Sichuan Swellfun Co.'s profit slumped 57% and sales fell 13% in the first half, according to a preliminary earnings report. Jiugui Liquor Co. has warned first-half net income dropped by at least 90% and revenue to shrank by 43%. 'A strong rebound in baijiu is unlikely through year-end, as new anti-extravagance rules dampen demand and wholesale prices amid destocking and tight inventory controls,' said Bloomberg Intelligence's Li. Still, the fallout from the latest austerity push may be less severe than a crackdown in 2012, thanks to more adaptable producers and already-reduced government demand, she added. Moutai shares have been under pressure due to the wholesale price weakness. The stock dropped 5.7% so far this year, compared with a 5.3% gain in the Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 Index. An index of China-listed liquor makers has fallen 8.8% this year. --With assistance from Foster Wong. More stories like this are available on

This 130-year-old US photography brand may soon go out of business; company says: 'These conditions raise substantial doubt about...'
This 130-year-old US photography brand may soon go out of business; company says: 'These conditions raise substantial doubt about...'

Time of India

time39 minutes ago

  • Time of India

This 130-year-old US photography brand may soon go out of business; company says: 'These conditions raise substantial doubt about...'

Popular photography brand, Eastman Kodak Co ., has raised "substantial doubt" about continuing its operations in the coming days. The 130-year-old company has suggested that it may soon go out of business. The company stated that it may not be able to meet its debt obligations, a disclosure that also reportedly caused its shares to fall by over 13% recently. Based in Rochester, New York, Kodak reported having $155 million in cash and cash equivalents as of June 30, which includes $70 million held within the United States. The company's financial struggles follow a move last year (which was first reported by The Wall Street Journal) that ended its retirement income plan to reduce its debt burden. What Kodak said in its regulatory filing In its regulatory (as seen by The Independent), Kodak said: 'Kodak has debt coming due within 12 months and does not have committed financing or available liquidity to meet such debt obligations if they were to become due in accordance with their current terms. These conditions raise substantial doubt about Kodak's ability to continue as a going concern' In a recent statement, David Bullwinkle, Kodak's CFO, said that the company expects to know by this week about how it will meet its obligations to pay all pension plan participants and expects to complete the reversion by December. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Indonesia: New Container Houses (Prices May Surprise You) Container House | Search Ads Search Now Undo Founded by George Eastman in 1880, Kodak played a significant role in making photography accessible in the early 20th century. It became widely recognised for its Brownie and Instamatic cameras, along with its yellow-and-red film boxes. The company first faced setbacks due to competition from its Japanese rivals and later struggled to adapt to the transition from film to digital technology. In 2012, Kodak filed for bankruptcy protection after facing rising competition, the growing adoption of digital photography, and increasing debt. Following this, the company sold several businesses and patents and shut down the camera manufacturing unit that had established its reputation. A year later, it received approval to exit court oversight, shifting its focus to becoming a smaller company specialising in commercial and packaging printing. Currently, Kodak is close to completing a manufacturing plant for regulated pharmaceutical products. It already produces unregulated key starting materials for pharmaceuticals, while production at the upgraded facility is expected to begin later this year. UBON SP-85: Portable Party Speaker On A Budget AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now

Rain affects gas supply to Rudrapur SIDCUL area, over 50 units affected
Rain affects gas supply to Rudrapur SIDCUL area, over 50 units affected

Time of India

time39 minutes ago

  • Time of India

Rain affects gas supply to Rudrapur SIDCUL area, over 50 units affected

Rudrapur: Industrial production in Uttarakhand's Rudrapur, district headquarters of Udham Singh Nagar, has come to a grinding halt after piped natural gas (PNG) supply from Indian Oil and Adani Gas was suspended on Sunday. Over 50 industries — including a prominent automobile company and eight of its vendor firms — temporarily shut down their plants, resulting in an estimated loss of over Rs 50 crore, officials said on Tuesday. According to officials, the disruption was triggered by damage to the pipeline near Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh due to heavy rains, severely hitting PNG-dependent units in SIDCUL industrial area. Sources said that while the shutdown on Sunday had little immediate impact due to the weekly holiday, the crisis deepened on Monday as PNG-dependent industries began scaling down or halting operations, while units with electricity-based alternatives managed partial production. For most, the loss was unavoidable. "This is nothing short of a disaster," said Srikar Sinha, president of SIDCUL entrepreneur welfare society. "PNG supply has been down since Sunday afternoon, and GAIL officials are unable to confirm when the problem will be resolved. If this continues for another day or two, the situation will escalate into a major crisis. The state govt and district administration must step in with an urgent solution." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Simple Morning Habit for a Flatter Belly After 50! Lulutox Undo Society secretary Gajendra Singh said that nearly 90% of SIDCUL's auto industry operations got crippled. "Initially, the supplier said the shutdown would last 72 hours, but now there is no update from the company. The govt must act immediately," he said. District magistrate Nitin Singh Bhadauria confirmed that talks had been held with Moradabad administration and company officials. "The pipeline damage was caused by heavy rainfall in parts of UP. Restoration work is underway, and supply will be resumed soon," he said. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store