FedEx Launches Ecommerce Platform to Compete with Amazon; Microsoft Signs 10-Year Partnership with Vodafone; OpenAI Bans Use of AI Tools for Political Campaigning

by Aimee Newell Tarín on 17th Jan 2024 in News

On today’s ExchangeWire digest: FedEx Launches Ecommerce Platform to Compete with Amazon; Microsoft Signs 10-Year Partnership with Vodafone; OpenAI Bans Use of AI Tools for Political Campaigning...

Upping the pace in its competition against rival Amazon, FedEx has announced plans to launch a new data-driven ecommerce platform which will connect the entire customer journey. It aims to make it easier for companies to grow demand, increase conversions, optimise fulfilment, and streamline returns. FedEx reports that it will be the “only logistics company to connect the entire customer journey by offering end-to-end ecommerce solutions for businesses of all sizes – all in one platform.” The platform’s launch is planned for autumn 2024.

Microsoft also makes another big move, signing a 10-year strategic partnership with Vodafone to bring generative AI, digital services, and the cloud to more businesses and consumers. Microsoft’s gen AI tech will be used to transform Vodafone’s customer experience and hyperscale its managed IoT connectivity platform, among others. Meanwhile, Vodafone will invest USD$1.5bn (£1.2bn) in cloud and consumer-focused AI services developed in conjunction with Microsoft over the next decade.

Gearing up for the upcoming US elections, OpenAI has outlined some rules about how their AI tools can be used in relation to politics. The tech giant states they will not allow people to build applications for political campaigning or lobbying, or allow builders to create chatbots which pretend to be real people (such as political candidates), or institutions (such as local government). Users will be able to report potential violations.