Microsoft's AI bets boost cloud business
Google-parent Alphabet's cloud Business suffered as long-time rival Microsoft's took off in the September quarter, demonstrating early signs that the Windows maker's investment in artificial intelligence was paying off. Alphabet's shares fell 7% in after hours trading on Tuesday. Microsoft's rose 5%. The drop in Alphabet's shares, despite it beating Wall Street estimates for overall profit and sales, showed investors wanted it to deliver gains in artificial intelligence and demonstrate it remained competitive against Microsoft's Azure and Amazon.com's (AMZN.O) AWS cloud businesses. "While a single quarter doesn't a major trend make, this quarter's cloud results ... suggest that Azure is gaining share against its com Pet ition," said Bob O'Donnell, chief analyst at TECHnalysis Research. "In addition, it could be that Microsoft's very strong messaging on their Copilots and GenAI technology is getti...