Citi Finds Microsoft (MSFT) as One of the Top AI Vendors

Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) is a key quantum computing stock through its Azure Quantum, which is a cloud platform that gives access to multiple quantum hardware providers. The stock also ranks as one of the Best Quantum Computing Stocks to buy and Hold Forever.

​Recently, on July 9, Citi noted that the firm’s Q2 2026 survey of 100 IT decision makers found Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) as the top vendor CIOs are considering increasing AI spend with, ahead of Amazon and Google. The survey also found an improving spending backdrop compared to the previous quarter. This was evident as both the US and EMEA IT budgets for the next 12 months accelerated as AI investment continued to gain priority.

​More specifically, forward IT budget growth expectations rose to 3.3%, up from 2.6% in the March 2026 survey, a figure Citi said sits 0.8 percentage points above the seven-year historical average. Moreover, EMEA budget growth climbed to 3.9%, while US growth rose to 3.0%. The firm noted that Data analytics and AI remained the top investment priority and gained further share, followed by cybersecurity, digital transformation, and customer-facing applications. Citi noted web security jumped into the top-priority group, driven by a surge in bot and agentic internet traffic along with expanding API surfaces.

Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) is a global technology company that develops and sells a wide range of software, cloud services, devices, and business solutions, serving both individual users and enterprise customers worldwide. Its flagship products include Windows, Microsoft 365, Azure, LinkedIn, and Xbox.

While we acknowledge the risk and potential of MSFT as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter time frame. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than MSFT and that has 10,000% upside potential, check out our report about this cheapest AI stock.

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