Microsoft Finds Its AI Voice

Microsoft now employs over 7,000 Artificial Intelligence (AI) research scientists and development engineers around the world under Microsoft Research (MSR) Executive VP Harry Shum, who shared the company's vision and strategy during the keynote address. The event was clearly intended to promote Microsoft as a thought leader in the developing science and technology of AI, as the execs focused on the company's lofty goals and initiatives, sprinkled with customer and product examples that showcased the company's innovations. Head of Microsoft Research and AI Harry Shum kicked off the intimate event in London. While companies like,, and tend to grab more attention and headlines for their AI efforts, Microsoft has been quietly building an impressive portfolio of scientific advances, products, features and AI cloud services. However, during this and other recent corporate events, Microsoft has been more aggressively positioning itself, and indeed AI, as a force for good, where machines will be used to "amplify human ingenuity", making the world a better place.