Microsoft Hires Inflection Founders to Lead New Consumer AI Division
As part of the transition, Inflection AI will pivot its focus to the AI studio business, where it will develop and test custom generative AI models.
Microsoft has recruited Mustafa Suleyman and Karén Simonyan, co-founders of the prominent AI startup Inflection AI, along with several of their colleagues. This strategic hiring comes on the heels of Microsoft's significant investment in Inflection AI last year, signaling the tech giant's commitment to strengthening its position in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
Suleyman, a co-founder of DeepMind prior to his tenure at Inflection AI, will spearhead Microsoft's newly formed consumer AI unit, aptly named Microsoft AI. In his role as EVP and CEO of Microsoft AI, Suleyman will report directly to Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella. Simonyan will join the company as Chief Scientist within the same division, contributing his expertise to drive innovation in consumer-facing AI products and research initiatives.
Microsoft's decision to recruit talent from Inflection AI meant the company's strategic focus on advancing AI capabilities for consumer applications. With an event focused on Microsoft Copilot, Windows, and Surface slated for Thursday, the tech giant is expected to showcase its latest AI innovations tailored for consumers.
Inflection AI's close relationship with Microsoft dates back to a $1.3 billion funding round led by the cloud giant less than a year ago. Leveraging Inflection AI's expertise, Microsoft aims to enhance its AI offerings across various products and platforms, including Copilot, Bing, and Edge.
Nadella stated the importance of investing in AI capabilities, stating that Microsoft is committed to "boldly innovate" in this space. With the addition of top talent from Inflection AI, Microsoft is well-positioned to accelerate its AI platform shift and drive meaningful advancements in consumer AI technology.
As Microsoft continues to invest in AI research and development, the company remains at the forefront of driving AI innovation and shaping the future of technology. With the expertise of Suleyman, Simonyan, and their team, Microsoft is poised to lead the next wave of AI-driven innovation in the consumer space and beyond.
