Microsoft this week announced new ways in which it is sprinkling artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities across its many products and services.

And, yes, AI---like the nearly-interchangeable "machine learning"---is one of those recent trendy buzzwords that tech companies like to toss around with abandon. But it's hard to argue with the usefulness of these advances. Or with the fact that Microsoft is one of the few technology companies that can make major strides in doing so.