Microsoft, through its research into artificial intelligence, has created a virtual assistant that can be used by companies to respond to customer service requests.
At the company's Ignite conference in Orlando, CEO Satya Nadella said Monday that Macy's and Hewlett-Packard have already begun to use the technology.
In a push to prioritize its year-old workplace chat software, Microsoft Teams, the company also said Monday that it's folding Skype for Business into Teams. The software is competing with other online services from upstart Slack and bigger rivals like Google.
Microsoft is also launching new workplace software for people who don't typical work from a desk.
Explore further: Microsoft adds new chat-based service for workers