Microsoft is making another huge play, but this time it's in the world of IoT (Internet of Things) and AI (artificial intelligence). Microsoft Azure, the company's cloud computing service, is making a huge splash into the fast-growing IoT enterprise. In getting into IoT space, the Redmond-based company [VIDEO] has teamed with C3, a Silicon Valley-based IoT company. The two tech companies plan to work on technologies to help enterprise customers accelerate their IoT and AI development, according to SDX Central. Reports by SDX Central and Business Wire presented most of the information used in this article.

As artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and platforms become integral to advanced operations in nearly every industry, blockchain is inserting itself as a means to enhance AI applications in both form and function. Blockchain has the potential to allow AI technologies to become more collaborative in nature and therefore increase their operating efficiency. Additionally, the potential for bolstered revenue streams is also apparent, as blockchain is projected to grow to $20 billion by 2024 according to Transparency Market Research and the Grand View Research projects the AI market will be worth more than $35 billion by 2025. As previously noted, leaders in the AI landscape are turning to blockchain to finetune various applications. Active tech companies in the markets this week include Gopher Protocol Inc. (OTC:GOPH), Overstock.com

Artificial intelligence (AI) is expected to transform the productivity and GDP potential of the global economy. According to a report by PWC, strategic investment in different types of AI technology is needed to make that happen. PWC's research shows that 45% of total economic gains by 2030 will come from product enhancements, stimulating consumer demand. This is because AI will drive greater product variety, with increased personalization, attractiveness and affordability over time. AI could contribute up to $15.7 trillion1 to the global economy in 2030, more than the current output of China and India combined.

LOS ANGELES – Google-owned Waymo is adding as many as 62,000 Fiat Chrysler minivans to its autonomous fleet in an expanded collaboration announced by the companies on Thursday. Delivery of the Chrysler Pacifica minivans was expected to begin later this year, with the automaker also exploring the potential to build Waymo technology into a self-driving car it might add to its model line-up for consumers. "FCA is committed to bringing self-driving technology to our customers in a manner that is safe, efficient and realistic," chief executive officer Sergio Marchionne said in a release. "Strategic partnerships, such as the one we have with Waymo, will help to drive innovative technology to the forefront." Waymo plans to launch the "world's first self-driving transportation service" this year, with people able to summon rides from driver-less vehicles using a smartphone application.

Waymo, Alphabet's self-driving car company (formerly under Google), has been using modified vans for years to privately test its autonomous tech. In late 2016, Waymo announced that its first production car would be a modified Chrysler Pacifica. Now the company is looking to buy a few more minivans - 62,000, to be exact. Alphabet announced today that it struck a deal with Chrysler to buy 62,000 additional Pacifica hybrid vans for Waymo, increasing the company's number of vehicles by 100 times. Waymo is already testing a small fleet of completely autonomous taxis in Arizona.

Google-owned Waymo is adding as many as 62,000 Fiat Chrysler minivans to its autonomous fleet in an expanded collaboration announced by the companies on Thursday. Delivery of the Chrysler Pacifica minivans was expected to begin later this year, with the automaker also exploring the potential to build Waymo technology into a self-driving car it might add to its model line-up for consumers. 'FCA is committed to bringing self-driving technology to our customers in a manner that is safe, efficient and realistic,' chief executive officer Sergio Marchionne said. John Krafcik, CEO of Waymo, is seen in a 2017 photo with a customized Chrysler Pacifica that is being used in the Google-owned firm's autonomous car project'Strategic partnerships, such as the one we have with Waymo, will help to drive innovative technology to the forefront.' Waymo plans to launch the'world's first self-driving transportation service' this year, with people able to summon rides from driverless vehicles using a smartphone application.

The Vision Fund's investment values the business at $11.5 billion. GM shares surged 11% to $42.07 in morning trading. The Vision Fund's investment will come in two tranches: an initial $900 million payment, and another of $1.35 billion once Cruise's autonomous vehicles are ready for commercial deployment, GM said. The deal will "afford GM increased flexibility with respect to capital allocation" as it plows more money into developing a network of autonomous ride-share vehicles, targeted for sometime next year, the company said. For years, GM's shares have languished as valuations for upstarts like electric-car maker Tesla Inc. and ride-share firm Uber Technologies Inc. soared on expectations of heady growth.

U.S. drivers' fears of fully autonomous (self-driving) vehicles has risen in the past several months according to a new survey by AAA. SAN FRANCISCO -- Waymo's self-driving mission is about to mushroom. The Alphabet-owned autonomous car company announced Thursday that it is significantly ramping up its partnership with Fiat Chrysler and over time will add up to 62,000 Pacifica Hybrid minivans to its fleet. That's a significant bump from a January announcement in which Waymo, which started out as Google's self-driving car project in 2009, said it would add "thousands" of new FCA minivans. The news speaks to the quickening pace of Waymo's development of fully self-driving vehicles, which have been testing around the Phoenix area for more than a year.

New price forecasting application combines Alpaca's technology with Bloomberg's real-time market data Tokyo – Bloomberg today announced the launch of a new price forecasting application for investment professionals powered by artificial intelligence (AI). The "Alpaca Forecast AI Prediction Matrix" is an application (app) that provides short-term market price forecasts for major markets such as USD/JPY, EUR/USD, AUD/JPY, CME Nikkei 225 Futures Index and US 10-year treasury bonds, using Bloomberg's Market Data Feed (B-PIPE). Developed jointly with AlpacaJapan, a startup that specializes in AI solutions for financial trading, the app uses a cutting-edge deep learning engine to analyse tick data at a speed and volume beyond the ability of the human eye. AlpacaJapan's AI technology recognizes patterns in the waves of price movements instantly, making market predictions possible. Kuni Ishibashi, Bloomberg's head of Japan said, "We are thrilled to introduce this new app as it embodies our mission to fuel innovation in the financial market place. By bringing Bloomberg's real time market data and AlpacaJapan's specialized technology together, we have developed a leading-edge forecasting tool which can help financial professionals make better investment decisions and improve trade workflow efficiency."

Six clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) across south east London will soon be able to access VisualDX's AI-powered visual diagnostic tool, as per terms of a deal between the NHS and the healthcare software company. The move, which focuses on enhancing diagnostic accuracy and aiding therapeutic decisions and diagnosis, marks a first for VisualDX, as it launches its first foothold into the UK's National Health Service (NHS). Art Papier, chief executive officer of VisualDX, said: "This agreement with NHS CCGs in South East London helps patients and clinicians alike to share in the decision-making process to optimise patient-centred outcomes in the pursuit of clinical excellence." According to the ECRI Institute, misdiagnoses took the top spot for safety concern among patients. While the cause for each misdiagnosis varies, VisualDX has build a library of more than 41,000 peer-reviewed medical images to help physicians, especially generalists, to make better informed diagnoses by allowing direct imagery comparison and offering diagnostic possibilities.