Microsoft (MSFT) Bags Major AI Deal with Barclays

Microsoft (MSFT) has landed a major AI partnership with Barclays (BCS), as the financial giant agreed to purchase 100,000 licenses for MSFT’s Copilot AI assistants, Bloomberg reported. The deal, announced during a companywide town hall, shows big progress in the adoption of its AI tools by corporate clients.

Barclays’ decision to adopt Copilot AI signals a major shift toward AI-powered productivity. The bank aims to enhance efficiency, automate tasks, and simplify operations using Microsoft’s AI tools.

Importantly, MSFT’s chief commercial officer, Judson Althoff, shared that Barclays joins a growing list of companies, such as Accenture (ACN), Toyota (TM), Volkswagen (VWAGY), and Siemens (SIEGY), using Copilot for over 100,000 employees.

At $30 per user per month, these deals could bring in tens of millions of dollars each year. However, it must be noted that big companies often get bulk discounts.

Microsoft Expands Copilot Adoption

Microsoft is pushing hard to expand Copilot adoption across firms by signing large deals, letting firms customize the tool, and making sure users know how to use it well.

The tool allows companies to tailor Copilot with plugins and Graph connectors. For instance, Siemens uses AI-driven tools for manufacturing insights, while Toyota uses Copilot for supply chain optimization.

Interestingly, MSFT has launched Copilot Studio, allowing companies to build custom AI assistants to fit their needs. A retailer might create an AI-powered customer service chatbot, while an insurance firm could develop an automated claims processing assistant.

Thus, Microsoft’s expansion strategy aims to boost AI adoption, making Copilot a core tool for businesses.

Is Microsoft a Buy, Hold, or Sell?

Turning to Wall Street, MSFT stock has a Strong Buy consensus rating based on 30 Buys and five Holds assigned in the last three months. At $514.07, the average Microsoft stock price target implies a 12.08% upside potential.

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