(NASDAQ: MSFT) shares have climbed 40% year to date thanks to the company's growing lead in artificial intelligence (AI). It was an early investor in the industry, allowing it to get a head start on the competition. Companies such as Amazon and Alphabet have expanding AI ventures and have spent the first half of this year playing catch-up to Microsoft.

However, the Windows company has multiple high-performing productivity services that have drawn millions of customers worldwide. Microsoft has the name recognition and user base that could make it the go-to company for anyone seeking AI services. Here are three things that smart investors know about Microsoft right now. 

At the Goldman Sachs Communacopia Technology Conference last week, Microsoft CFO Amy Hood reiterated the company's forecast that its AI division will hit $10 billion in revenue faster than any of its previous business ventures. 

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Source Fool.com