Microsoft AI Launches London Center to Tap into Vast Reservoir of Expertise

Microsoft is intensifying its focus on AI in the UK by inaugurating a significant new AI center in London. The Microsoft AI London hub will concentrate on advancing cutting-edge language models, bolstering infrastructure, and refining tooling for foundational models.

Heading the hub is AI scientist and engineer Jordan Hoffmann, renowned for his pioneering work at AI firms Inflection and DeepMind, both headquartered in London.

"Given the abundant reservoir of AI talent and expertise in the UK, Microsoft AI aims to make a substantial, enduring investment in the region by recruiting the top AI scientists and engineers for this new AI hub," stated Mustafa Suleyman, EVP and CEO of Microsoft AI.

Suleyman, a British citizen with roots in London, co-founded AI startup Inflection before its acquisition by Microsoft. "Having co-founded and nurtured an innovative AI enterprise here, I am acutely aware of the exceptional talent pool and AI ecosystem in the UK," he remarked.

While Microsoft already maintains an AI research presence in the UK through its Microsoft Research lab in Cambridge, the establishment of the dedicated Microsoft AI London hub underscores the company's heightened dedication to advancing the field in Britain.

This investment builds upon Microsoft's recent commitment of £2.5 billion to upskill the UK workforce and develop AI infrastructure, including the deployment of 20,000 advanced GPUs in the country by 2026.

Microsoft AI London will collaborate closely with other teams within Microsoft and partners such as OpenAI. The company anticipates announcing job opportunities in the coming weeks, seeking "exceptional individuals" passionate about addressing the most pressing challenges in AI.

"I have observed, through my extensive collaboration with thought leaders in the UK government, business community, and academia, the country's steadfast commitment to advancing AI responsibly, with a primary focus on safety, to drive investment, innovation, and economic prosperity," remarked Suleyman.

"Our decision to establish this hub in the UK reflects this shared ambition."