Microsoft has announced making a strategic investment in ride-sharing service Grab, as one of the first moves under a recently forged partnership between the two companies. Grab will also adopt Microsoft Azure as its preferred cloud platform, hoping to use the latter's cloud and artificial intelligence capabilities to "scale its platform and increase its capacity and capabilities". Under the five-year agreement, the companies will work together on a range of technology projects, including in the areas of big data and AI, that president of Grab Ming Maa expects will transform the delivery of everyday services and mobility solutions in Southeast Asia. "Microsoft's investment into Grab highlights our position as the leading homegrown technology player in the region," he said. "We look forward to collaborating with Microsoft in the pursuit of enhancing on-demand transportation and seamless online-to-offline experiences for users."