Microsoft Unveils New AI Hub in London

Microsoft is opening a new AI hub in London, named Microsoft AI London. This hub will focus on developing advanced language models and their infrastructure, as well as creating tools for foundation models. It will collaborate closely with Microsoft's global AI teams and partners, including OpenAI.

The hub will be led by Jordan Hoffmann, a renowned AI scientist who previously worked at Inflection and DeepMind in London. Hoffmann, along with other Microsoft AI team members, will be based in the London Paddington office.

“There is an enormous pool of AI talent and expertise in the U.K., and Microsoft AI plans to make a significant, long-term investment in the region as we begin hiring the best AI scientists and engineers into this new AI hub,” reads the official blog post by Mustafa Suleyman, EVP and CEO of the newly founded consumer focused branch called Microsoft AI.

London native Suleyman emphasized the rich AI talent and ecosystem in the U.K. He expressed pride in contributing to the U.K.'s AI development on behalf of Microsoft. This move aligns with the U.K.'s commitment to advancing AI responsibly and enhancing economic growth through innovation.

Additionally, the London hub complements Microsoft's existing U.K. operations, including the Microsoft Research Cambridge lab, and builds on Microsoft’s recent £2.5 billion investment in the U.K.’s AI infrastructure and workforce development.

The company has reshuffled its leadership team by bringing on board Suleyman, Karén Simonyan, and other key figures from the notable British AI startup, Inflection AI. Previously, Suleyman co-founded Deepmind, which Google acquired in 2014, and later helped establish Inflection AI.

Following the acquisition, Suleyman is heading Microsoft AI, where he reports directly to CEO Satya Nadella. Karén Simonyan has joined the team as Chief Scientist.