Income taxes - provision for income taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2023	Aug. 31, 2022	Aug. 31, 2021
Current provision
Federal	$ 242	$ 39	$ 79
State	(13)	37	115
Non–U.S.	283	260	234
Total current provisions for income taxes	512	336	428
Deferred provision
Federal	(1,886)	(78)	(10)
State	(364)	(20)	(46)
Non–U.S. – tax law change	0	0	344
Non–U.S. – excluding tax law change	(120)	(268)	(49)
Total non-current provisions for income taxes	(2,370)	(366)	239
Income tax (benefit) provision	$ (1,858)	$ (30)	$ 667