Executives at Microsoft and other enterprise software companies have hailed 2025 as the first year artificial intelligence automates multi-step tasks — such as generating dashboards based on company sales data. However, as the end of the year approaches, Microsoft has lowered its market penetration expectations for next-generation AI products and is no longer forcing customers to quickly pay for such products. According to two sales staff in Microsoft's Azure cloud division, since several departments did not achieve AI product sales growth targets in the fiscal year ending June, several Microsoft business lines have now lowered sales growth targets for some AI products. Two people familiar with the matter said that it is rare for Microsoft to lower sales targets for specific products. This adjustment reflects Microsoft's response to corporate customer resistance to AI payments.

Executives at Microsoft and other enterprise software companies have hailed 2025 as the first year artificial intelligence automates multi-step tasks — such as generating dashboards based on company sales data. However, as the end of the year approaches, Microsoft has lowered its market penetration expectations for next-generation AI products and is no longer forcing customers to quickly pay for such products. According to two sales staff in Microsoft's Azure cloud division, since several departments did not achieve AI product sales growth targets in the fiscal year ending June, several Microsoft business lines have now lowered sales growth targets for some AI products. Two people familiar with the matter said that it is rare for Microsoft to lower sales targets for specific products. This adjustment reflects Microsoft's response to corporate customer resistance to AI payments.