Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT) is synonymous with artificial intelligence (AI). The tech giant’s partnership with OpenAI was the catalyst for the company’s growing AI footprint. It’s also a key reason why MSFT stock has delivered a total return of over 150% in the last five years.
However, as investors have discovered, as AI adoption accelerates, so do the risks. Generative AI enables faster, more sophisticated cyberattacks that force companies and governments to prioritize operational security. That’s created a tailwind for pure-play cybersecurity names like CrowdStrike Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: CRWD) and Palo Alto Networks Inc. (NASDAQ: PANW).
