C3 AI (AI, Financials) and Microsoft (MSFT, Financials) announced an expanded strategic alliance at Microsoft Ignite on Tuesday to accelerate enterprise artificial intelligence adoption on Microsoft Azure; C3.ai saw its stock price surge 21.8% to $32.33 in early market trading.

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Building on their current working relationship, the arrangement combines C3 Generative AI's corporate AI apps with Azure's infrastructure to provide scalable AI solutions for companies.

Under the alliance, C3 AI's apps will be accessible via the Microsoft Commercial Cloud Portal, therefore facilitating simpler client access. Through combined roadmap discussions, the firms will match their product development plans to changing client needs. The collaboration also include marketing initiatives, sales training, and a coordinated approach to go-to-market plans. Direct orders for C3 AI apps straight via the Azure Marketplace will be available to customers.

While C3 AI becomes an approved AI application software vendor on Azure, Microsoft will serve as C3 AI's preferred cloud provider. The cooperation seeks to promote business acceptance of AI-driven solutions in many sectors.

Among the various C3 AI solutions now accessible via Azure sales channelsenergy management, ESG compliance, sourcing optimization, property assessment, public benefits, demand forecastingare several C3 AI apps.

This arrangement expands on a collaboration that started in 2018 that has given big companies like Dow Inc. (DOW, Financials), Shell plc (SHEL, Financials), and Nucor Corporation (NUE, Financials) enterprise artificial intelligence capabilities on scale, according to a statement. Both firms want to keep creating solutions to help sustainability projects and digital transformation, as per an official announcment.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.