Microsoft Announces New AI and Research Division

Microsoft has recently announced its decision to form a new division called AI and Research Group that would be specifically focused on expanding AI efforts and continuing the company’s investments in new technologies.

Microsoft Research will transition to the new group together with all its engineers, and the new team will be led by Harry Shum, who is currently the Executive Vice President, Technology & research at the company.

5,000 employees to work on AI and research

Microsoft said in a press release that the new division will also include the company’s Information Platform Group, Bing and Cortana product groups, plus the Ambient Computing and Robotics teams, and approximately 5,000 engineers will be part of the combined AI efforts.

“AI is shifting the computer science research supply chain and blurring lines between research and product. End-to-end innovation in AI will not come from isolated research labs alone, but from the combination of ...