[Microsoft's Azure cloud business revenue increased by 48%, exceeding expectations] On October 29, Microsoft announced that its cloud business revenue exceeded expectations, showing that it continues to benefit from huge investments in the field of artificial intelligence. Microsoft said in a statement on Wednesday that sales of its closely watched cloud computing unit Azure increased 48% in the quarter ended in September, and total revenue increased 19% to $92.3 billion. Analysts had expected Azure sales to grow by 44% and total revenue to grow by 17%. The world's largest software company is trying to commercialize artificial intelligence by selling AI-enhanced workplace applications and providing access to models through Azure. The business has been hampered by a shortage of computing power for years. Microsoft has launched a massive construction program to expand its server farms but is facing increasing pressure from investors to justify the huge spending. Capital expenditures - a key measure of data center spending - rose 30% in the quarter to $45.2 billion. The company had previously given a spending outlook of $175 billion for this calendar year.