"As a global company that sees the problems of the world, we believe that we have a responsibility to help solve them," Microsoft President Brad Smith said in a statement. "We have an untapped opportunity to use the power of technology to collect data, analyze that data and equip the United Nations to advance human rights around the world."

It was only a matter of time until the UN jumped on the big data analysis bandwagon, something Microsoft is already using to track crime in New York City. The software giant will also help the UN bring aboard other private companies to use their technology in positive ways, as well as promote the UN's "Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights." As you can probably guess, the latter is a way to highlight potential issues that could arise from doing business around the world.