Microsoft Grapples with AI Backlash Amid Growth Push
Microsoft is facing criticism over its AI model training practices, with some researchers warning that large language models may be perpetuating 'the largest theft of labor in human history.'
Despite this backlash, Microsoft remains a popular stock among investors, with Wall Street assigning it a Strong Buy rating and a 12-month price target near $571.
The company is pushing deeper into media and gaming, with reports suggesting it may eventually divest Blizzard as it looks to capitalize on franchises like Diablo and Fallout through TV series and other ventures.
Microsoft is also strengthening its Azure ecosystem through partnerships, teaming with Marvell and Utimaco on a cloud-based payment security platform and expanding its collaboration with Nokia to fuse Nokia Data Suite with Microsoft Fabric.