Microsoft Plans to Build an AI Supercomputer in Azure

Following up on CEO Satya Nadella's big talk about artificial intelligence, Microsoft today announced the creation of the AI and Research Group, gathering more than 5,000 computer scientists and engineers. The group will include the engineering teams for the Cortana personal assistant and Bing search engine. To lead the group, Microsoft has chosen 20-year company veteran Harry Shum, whose previous experience includes Bing and Microsoft Research. The AI and Research Group will work on products, but it will also conduct basic research. AI was a major point in Nadella's keynote this week at Microsoft Ignite, the company's annual IT conference.