Tech giant Microsoft is setting up a new artificial intelligence (AI) hub in London, further solidifying the U.K.’s position as a hub for AI research and development. The news comes on the heels of Microsoft’s £2.5 billion investment pledge to equip the U.K. workforce for the AI era.
Focused on Pioneering Language Models
The Microsoft AI London hub will prioritize research on large language models, a type of AI that can process and generate human-like text. The hub will collaborate with existing Microsoft AI teams and partners like OpenAI to create next-generation language models, along with the infrastructure and tools required to support them.
Microsoft Recognizes U.K.’s AI Talent Pool
“This decision reflects our ambition to work alongside the extraordinary talent pool and AI ecosystem in the U.K.,” said Mustafa Suleyman, head of Microsoft AI, in a blog post. The hub will be led by AI scientist Jordan Hoffmann, who boasts prior experience at DeepMind and Inflection, both London-based AI powerhouses.
Job Creation and Long-Term Investment
The new hub signifies Microsoft’s long-term commitment to the U.K.’s AI scene. The company plans to post job openings soon, seeking individuals passionate about pushing the boundaries of AI. This aligns with Microsoft’s broader £2.5 billion investment, which includes deploying 20,000 advanced GPUs by 2026 to bolster the U.K.’s AI infrastructure.
London’s Growing AI Strength
Microsoft’s move reinforces London’s status as a global AI hub. The city is already home to several leading AI research labs, including DeepMind and Google AI, making it a magnet for top AI talent. This influx of expertise and investment is poised to accelerate advancements in AI research and development in the U.K.