Ms signs office AI deal with Vodafone, adds features to Excel, Outlook

Microsoft Corp. said Vodafone Group Plc signed a large deal to use artificial intelligence assistants for Office and unveiled a range of new AI tools designed to help workers create Excel charts, prioritize emails and collaborate with one another.

Vodafone will purchase 68,000 licenses for corporate versions of the assistants, known as Copilots, after early trials found workers using them saved about three hours a week per person, Microsoft said in a blog post shared ahead of a webcast Monday. Other clients include Honeywell International Inc. and financial services firm Finastra Group Holdings Ltd.