US Markets
Friday, March 1st, 2024 4:21 pm EDT
Key Points
- Microsoft partners with Mistral AI, a French startup, to expand its presence in the AI industry, positioning itself against competitors like OpenAI.
- Microsoft invests 15 million euros in Mistral AI to facilitate its growth and access new commercial opportunities, aiming to integrate Mistral’s large language models (LLM) into its Azure cloud computing platform.
- The partnership signals Microsoft’s commitment to supporting European technology and diversifying its product offerings, amid scrutiny from EU antitrust regulators over its investment in OpenAI. Additionally, Microsoft plans to allocate funds for research and development, including AI models for public sector services in Europe, while other tech giants like Google and Amazon also intensify their investments in AI technology.
Microsoft has unveiled a new collaboration with French startup Mistral AI, positioning itself to expand its presence in the dynamic artificial intelligence sector. The partnership entails Microsoft’s investment of 15 million euros in the burgeoning 10-month-old Mistral AI, aiming to facilitate its growth into global markets and explore fresh commercial avenues. As part of the agreement, Mistral’s large language models (LLM), crucial for generative AI applications, will be integrated into Microsoft’s Azure cloud computing platform, marking a significant step as Mistral becomes the second entity after OpenAI to have its LLM hosted on Azure. Additionally, Microsoft plans to enhance Mistral’s customer base, supporting the rollout of its multilingual conversational assistant, “Le Chat,” or “the cat.” Brad Smith, Microsoft’s President, emphasized the strategic significance of the partnership, underlining the company’s commitment to supporting European technology. This move coincides with Microsoft’s ongoing engagement with EU antitrust regulators, addressing concerns over its substantial investment in OpenAI. Smith clarified that the investment in Mistral AI is not solely a response to regulatory pressures but reflects Microsoft’s broader vision of fostering innovation and growth in Europe’s tech landscape. The collaboration also underscores Microsoft’s dedication to research and development, particularly focusing on AI models tailored for public sector applications within Europe. Beyond this partnership, Spanish telecom giant Telefónica has announced its integration of Microsoft’s Azure AI Studio into its digital ecosystem, Kernel, showcasing a broader trend of tech industry giants leveraging AI technologies to drive innovation and market expansion in a highly competitive landscape.
For the full original article on CNBC, please click here: https://www.cnbc.com/2024/02/26/microsoft-invests-in-europes-mistral-ai-to-expand-beyond-openai.html
