Microsoft is funnelling $50 million over the next five years into its A.I. for Earth program. The program, which focuses on climate change, agriculture, water, and biodiversity, has awarded over 35 grants in more than 10 countries since its July rollout.
Lucas Joppa, Microsoft's Chief Environmental Scientist, says that to compliment its efforts, the company is also building a team of sustainability and artificial intelligence professionals.
“The most scarce resources out there is access to A.I. experts,” Joppa told Cheddar. “So we wanted to put those people in direct partnership with the organizations that we’re working with.”
The announcement comes on the second anniversary of the Paris Climate Accord. Companies and governments alike met in Paris this week to discuss climate change issues. While President Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. from the Paris Treaty, Joppa says that Microsoft remains committed to the cause.
“We’re one of the early signatories to the ‘We’re Still In’ pledge,” he said, referring to the coalition of U.S. cities, companies and other group who have publicly stated they are still supporting the treaty in spite of President’s decision to withdraw. “We’re still committed to using our organizations to drive towards the goal of the Paris Climate Accord.”
For full interview [click here] (https://cheddar.com/videos/fighting-climate-change-with-a-i).
Apple CEO Tim Cook said Thursday that the majority of iPhones sold in the U.S. in the current fiscal quarter will be sourced from India, while iPads and other devices will come from Vietnam as the company works to avoid the impact of President Trump’s tariffs on its business. Apple’s earnings for the first three months of the year topped Wall Street’s expectations thanks to high demand for its iPhones, and the company said tariffs had a limited effect on the fiscal second quarter’s results. Cook added that for the current quarter, assuming things don’t change, Apple expects to see $900 million added to its costs as a result of the tariffs.
Visa is hoping to hand your credit card to an artificial intelligence “agent” that can find and buy clothes, groceries, airplane tickets and other items on your behalf.
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