Microsoft has revealed that Mustafa Suleyman, a prominent figure in British Artificial Intelligence (AI) circles, will spearhead its newly established division, Microsoft AI. Suleyman, currently at the helm of startup Inflection AI, gained renown for co-founding DeepMind, a leading AI firm in the UK acquired by Google in 2014. His transition to Microsoft underscores the company’s commitment to AI leadership, especially as Google faces challenges in the field.
In a statement on X, formerly Twitter, Suleyman expressed his enthusiasm for his new role, noting his intention to bring along several colleagues from Inflection AI, including longtime collaborator Karén Simonyan, who will serve as chief scientist. He outlined his responsibilities, which encompass overseeing all consumer AI products and research, including the Copilot chatbot, Bing, and Edge.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella hailed Suleyman as a visionary and emphasised his track record of building pioneering teams and pursuing ambitious missions. Nadella welcomed Suleyman and his team, expressing anticipation for their contributions to Microsoft’s AI research and product development efforts.
Following his departure from Google in 2022, Suleyman co-founded Inflection AI, attracting significant attention in the generative AI domain with substantial investments from Microsoft and Nvidia. His appointment at Microsoft solidifies his standing in the AI community.
Microsoft’s commitment to AI innovation is evident in its substantial investments, including partnerships with OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, and the acquisition of French tech startup Mistral AI. The company reiterated its dedication to bolstering AI infrastructure and supporting OpenAI’s foundational model roadmap.
In contrast, Google has faced challenges with its AI initiatives, notably with its Gemini tool, which encountered issues such as inaccurately depicting white individuals and altering the race of certain historical figures. Google acknowledged these shortcomings, attributing them to its efforts to generate diverse results while falling short of accuracy.
As Suleyman assumes leadership at Microsoft AI, his appointment signifies the company’s strategic focus on advancing AI capabilities and underscores the competitive landscape in the AI industry.
