Microsoft doubles down on artificial intelligence in engineering reorganization

Two key letters show up throughout Microsoft's major reorganization announcement this morning: AI. Artificial intelligence will get even more emphasis as part of the company's reshuffling of leadership and engineering divisions. In a memo to employees laying out the reorg, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella called out AI as one of the technologies that will "shape the next phase of innovation." He continues: "AI capabilities are rapidly advancing across perception and cognition fueled by data and knowledge of the world." The company's AI Research division, formed two years ago under the leadership of Harry Shum, remains intact, while the revamped cloud division will have a significant AI component as well.