3M (NYSE: MMM) and Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) announced a strategic partnership focused on AI data center infrastructure and enterprise transformation. Microsoft's Azure Cloud and AI Infrastructure will become the first announced hyperscale cloud provider to deploy 3M's Expanded Beam Optical (EBO) technology. 3M will also use Microsoft's AI and digital platforms as part of its enterprise transformation across key business functions. Together, the companies will combine Microsoft's digital and hyperscale infrastructure with 3M's materials science and precision manufacturing to accelerate AI adoption. Microsoft will deploy 3M's proprietary EBO technology in Azure data centers, which uses an expanded beam optical interface designed to make fiber connections faster to install, more tolerant of contamination and easier to maintain. Microsoft's early use of EBO technology has shown the potential to reduce network deployment timelines in certain environments and demonstrated strong signal performance in live data center conditions. 3M is scaling production of its EBO technology to meet accelerating demand from hyperscalers and data center operators.