Alphabet hails ‘once-in-a-generation’ AI opportunity as revenue rises

Shares surge after tech giant issues first ever dividend and posts revenue of $80.5bn, up 15% since last year, despite staff turmoil

Shares in Alphabet, the owner of Google and YouTube, surged after it issued its first ever dividend and revealed that profits had surged in the last quarter.

Sundar Pichai, CEO, hailed the transition to artificial intelligence as a once-in-a-generation opportunity" as his company races to integrate the technology across its business.