US tech giant, Microsoft has unveiled plans to establish a new artificial intelligence (AI) hub in London, as part of the tech giant’s aim to focus on product development and research within the realm of AI.
The newly-formed unit will be headed by Mustafa Suleyman, a London-native who co-founded Google DeepMind. Suleyman, who joined Microsoft in March, brings with him a wealth of experience in AI research and development.
Microsoft is the primary backer of OpenAI, the organisation behind ChatGPT, but Europe’s competition for AI talent could lead to Microsoft poaching talent from OpenAI and other AI-focused entities like DeepMind to staff its new hub.
Last month, Suleyman made headlines when he left his own startup, Inflection AI, to lead Microsoft’s in-house AI division. His recruitment, along with several staff members, sparked criticism since Microsoft bypassed the traditional regulatory scrutiny associated with acquisitions.
In a statement published in a company blog post, Suleyman stressed the UK’s dedication to advancing AI responsibly, citing the country’s commitment to driving investment, innovation, and economic growth through AI development. He expressed confidence that establishing the hub in the UK aligns with the nation’s ambitious goals in the field.
While the exact number of jobs to be created by the new AI hub remains uncertain, Microsoft’s recent commitment to invest £2.5 billion ($3.16 billion) in data centre infrastructure and enhancing AI skills across Britain sets a promising backdrop for the initiative.
