Rivals Microsoft and Sony Announce Strategic Collaboration

Jyoti Gazmer May 17, 2019

1 minute read

Sony and Microsoft, two long-time rivals in the gaming domain have announced to have formed a strategic partnership with the specific purpose of collaborating on new cloud-based solutions via Azure for gaming and AI.

Microsoft and Sony — Kenichiro Yoshida, President and CEO, Sony Corporation (left), and Satya Nadella, CEO, Microsoft

By working together, the companies aim to deliver more enhanced entertainment experiences for their worldwide customers. These efforts will also include building better development platforms for the content creator community.

Additionally, as part of the bond signed between Sony and Microsoft, the two companies will also collaborate in the areas of Semiconductors and AI. For semiconductors, the company jointly develops new intelligent image sensor solutions by integrating Sony’s cutting-edge image sensors with Microsoft’s Azure AI technology in a hybrid manner across cloud and edge. With Sony’s semiconductors and Microsoft cloud technology, the companies aim to provide enhanced capabilities for enterprise customers as well.

Focusing on AI, the new partners will explore the incorporation of Microsoft’s advanced AI platform and tools in Sony consumer products, provide highly intuitive and user-friendly AI experiences.

“Sony has always been a leader in both entertainment and technology, and the collaboration we announced today builds on this history of innovation,” said Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft. “Our partnership brings the power of Azure and Azure AI to Sony to deliver new gaming and entertainment experiences for customers.”

Kenichiro Yoshida, president, and CEO of Sony added, “For many years, Microsoft has been a key business partner for us, though of course, the two companies have also been competing in some areas. I believe that our joint development of future cloud solutions will contribute greatly to the advancement of interactive content. Additionally, I hope that in the areas of semiconductors and AI, leveraging each company’s cutting-edge technology in a mutually complementary way will lead to the creation of new value for society.”

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