Microsoft Eyes New London AI Hub Led by Google DeepMind Co-Founder

Microsoft has announced plans to establish a new artificial intelligence (AI) hub in London, a move set to bolster the company's focus on product development and research in the rapidly advancing AI field.

The initiative will be spearheaded by Mustafa Suleyman, co-founder of Google DeepMind, now EVP and CEO of Microsoft AI, signaling Microsoft's commitment to tapping into top-tier talent for its AI endeavors.

"Our decision to open this hub in the UK reflects [the] ambition [of advancing AI responsibly]," Suleyman said in a company blog post

Microsoft's New AI Hub in London

The competition for AI talent across Europe has been intensifying, and Microsoft's strategic move to establish a hub in London aims to position the company at the forefront of this burgeoning industry.

The announcement follows Microsoft's recent hiring of Suleyman to lead its in-house Microsoft AI division. Suleyman left Inflection AI, to join Microsoft, taking dozens of employees with him. Some criticized the move since the staff transfer allowed Microsoft to dodge the regulatory scrutiny that typically comes with traditional acquisitions.

Suleyman, a London native, brings with him a wealth of experience and expertise in AI, having co-founded Google DeepMind. His appointment highlights Microsoft's move to attract top talent from established AI-focused companies like DeepMind and OpenAI.

"I know - through my close work with thought leaders in the UK Government, business community and academia - that the country is committed to advancing AI responsibly," Suleyman emphasized.

(Photo : FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images)

This photograph taken on January 19, 2023 shows the logo of the American corporation Microsoft displayed during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos.

Microsoft to Advance AI Infrastructure

The new AI hub in London will be led by Jordan Hoffmann, an AI scientist and engineer who distinguished himself at Inflection and DeepMind.

Hoffmann's role will be pivotal in driving pioneering work to advance state-of-the-art language models and associated infrastructure, in collaboration with Microsoft's AI teams and partners, including OpenAI.

Microsoft's investment in the UK extends beyond talent acquisition. The company recently committed £2.5 billion ($3.15 billion) to bolstering the country's AI infrastructure and workforce development over the next three years.

This investment aligns with the UK government's efforts to position the country as a global leader in AI research and development. Back in February, the United Kingdom announced plans to invest more than $125 million in AI research and training.

Moreover, with Google's DeepMind also based in London, the establishment of Microsoft's AI hub sets the stage for a potential talent tug-of-war between two frontrunners in the race for AI dominance, TechCrunch notes.

While the exact scale of the new AI hub remains undisclosed, Microsoft's move to expand its presence in the UK, coupled with its significant investment in AI research and development, underscores the company's determination to harness the transformative potential of artificial intelligence.

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