Microsoft is a key backer of OpenAI and it has committed to spending $80 billion on AI infrastructure this year in order to expand its global network of high-powered data centers to meet demand for the specialized chips required to train and run AI models.

Microsoft reported slower-than-expected growth in its crucial Azure cloud business on Wednesday despite beating estimates for overall quarterly revenue and increasing use of its cloud services for artificial intelligence.

"Investing 'very heavily' in capital expenditure and infrastructure is going to be a strategic advantage over time," Mark Zuckerberg said.

The tech giants on Wednesday talked up their AI strategies and said they are sticking with ambitious investments in the technology despite the investor panic this week over the ri

Chinese AI startup DeepSeek's model led to increased scrutiny on Microsoft's AI spending.