Microsoft (MSFT) - Get Report named artificial intelligence as one of its top priorities in its annual report for its 2017 fiscal year that ended on June 30.

In the filing, the tech titan refers to AI six times, up from zero in its last report, first reported by CNBC.

"Our strategic vision is to compete and grow by building best-in-class platforms and productivity services for an intelligent cloud and an intelligent edge infused with AI," the company wrote in the annual report.

Last year's read: "Our strategic vision is to compete and grow as a productivity and platform company for the mobile-first and cloud-first world."

Since CEO Satya Nadella took over as the head of the company, Microsoft has acquired AI startups including Maluuba and Swiftkey, while also establishing a formal AI and Research group. That unit "focuses on our AI development and other forward-looking research and development efforts spanning infrastructure, services, applications, and search," the annual report said.

Shares of Microsoft were lower during Thursday morning trading.

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