Microsoft and Xiaomi agree to partner up on AI, hardware, and the cloud

Xiaomi and Microsoft are expanding their partnership to work together on the cloud, AI, and more. The two companies, which previously worked together on a patent coss-licensing and app pre-install deal, have signed a Strategic Framework Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) intended to deepen their ties around cloud computing, AI, and hardware.

According to Xiaomi and Microsoft, the agreement will see both parties focusing on four areas in particular. In the AI space, the companies are in discussions to bring Cortana to Xiaomi's Mi AI speaker. Additionally, the two companies are exploring cooperative projects based on Microsoft's AI tech, "such as Computer Vision, Speech, Natural Language Processing, Text Input, Conversational AI, Knowledge Graph and Search, as well as related Microsoft AI products and services, such as Bing, Edge, Cortana, XiaoIce, SwiftKey, Translator, Pix, Cognitive Services and Skype," they say.

In the cloud, Xiaomi will use Microsoft's Azure platform to support "data storage, bandwidth, computing and other cloud services in international markets," as it seeks to expand globally. As part of the agreement, Xiaomi will work with Microsoft on joint marketing, channel support, and product development for "Xiaomi's laptop and laptop-style devices" in international markets.

"Xiaomi is one of the most innovative companies in China, and it is becoming increasingly popular in various markets around the world," said Harry Shum, executive vice president of Microsoft's Artificial Intelligence and Research Group. "Microsoft's unique strengths and experience in AI, as well as our products like Azure, will enable Xiaomi to develop more cutting-edge technology for everyone around the world."

Both companies have a history of working together, but this latest partnership could serve to further benefit both. For Xiaomi, it gets additional technical and marketing support as it seeks to further expand its global footprint. The deal also serves to expand Microsoft's cloud and AI services with a growing hardware partner.

CATEGORIES
Dan Thorp-Lancaster

Dan Thorp-Lancaster is the former Editor-in-Chief of Windows Central. He began working with Windows Central, Android Central, and iMore as a news writer in 2014 and is obsessed with tech of all sorts. You can follow Dan on Twitter @DthorpL and Instagram @heyitsdtl

Latest in Xiaomi
Xiaomi Mi NoteBook 14 Horizon Edition
Xiaomi Mi NoteBook 14 Horizon Edition hands-on: It's all about that value
Xiaomi Mi Notebook Pro review
Xiaomi's India-bound Mi NoteBook is powered by Intel's 10th-gen Core i7 CPU
Xiaomi Mi Notebook Pro review
Xiaomi will launch the Mi Laptop in India on June 11
Xiaomi Mi Notebook Pro review
Xiaomi is launching a brand new variant of its laptop targeted at India
Xiaomi RedmiBook
Xiaomi is finally bringing its laptops to India
Get around town with over 30% off the Xiaomi Mi Electric Scooter for a limited time
Latest in News
Cloud servers
Microsoft has killed "several" data center projects in the U.S. and Europe, according to reports — Microsoft responds (Updated)
Photo of Microsoft's new sign-in page for Xbox.com using the Microsoft Edge browser.
Over one billion users will get a new Microsoft user experience, and it has a dark mode
The Thing: Remastered key art
The Thing comes to Xbox Cloud Gaming's "Stream Your Own Game" library alongside other new arrivals
Promotional screenshot of heroes fighting a giant in Pillars of Eternity
Obsidian's classic Baldur's Gate successor 'Pillars of Eternity' is getting a surprise turn-based mode later this year, alongside other updates
Atomfall
Atomfall reviews and Metacritic scores are in: Here's a roundup of what everyone's saying about this new Game Pass survival game
Screenshot of one of the new flat world presets in Minecraft.
Minecraft testing new flat world presets and a better way to locate your friends in-game