Microsoft creates artificial intelligence research group with 5k computer scientists

Microsoft is pulling out all the stops to further its artificial intelligence research. After a string of social-geared announcements, Microsoft has expressed its intention to "democratize AI" for every person an organization. To do this, the company has formed the Microsoft Research and AI group. The research group will be comprised of over 5 thousand computer scientists and engineers focused on the company's artificial intelligence products, and will be led by Harry Shum. Shum is the executive vice president of technology and research at Microsoft who currently leads several research groups including those for Bing and Cortana, which are primarily focused on artificial intelligence and machine learning.