As the second-most valuable company in the world, with its market cap of $2.3 trillion not far behind Apple, many investors have considered buying Microsoft's (NASDAQ: MSFT) stock at one time or another. The company is home to potent brands like Windows, Office, Xbox, and LinkedIn, which have granted it leading market shares in multiple high-profit industries. Microsoft has increased its position as a compelling investment after becoming one of the biggest names in artificial intelligence (AI), with the market projected to surge in the coming years.