Microsoft is establishing a new division called Microsoft AI. This division will be led by Mustafa Suleyman, formerly co-founder of Inflection AI, who will serve as the EVP and CEO.
Suleyman will be joined by Inflection co-founder Karén Simonyan as the Chief Scientist. The goal of Microsoft AI is to improve the company’s AI products, including Copilot in Windows 11 and 10.
“I’m joining Microsoft as CEO of Microsoft AI. I’ll be leading all consumer AI products and research, including Copilot, Bing and Edge,” wrote Suleyman.
In what appears to be a raid on Infection AI by the tech giant, Microsoft’s boss Satya Nadella confirmed the news that Infection AI staff are joining the company.
“Several members of the Inflection team have chosen to join Mustafa and Karén at Microsoft. They include some of the most accomplished AI engineers, researchers, and builders in the world,” said Nadella.
Mikhail Parakhin, who oversaw user experiences for Bing, Edge, and Copilot, will now report to Suleyman in the new division. Nadella was keen to point out that there are no other senior leadership shakeups across the organisation.
Microsoft’s AI division validates the company’s long-term strategy of substantial AI investment. This is evidenced by Suleyman’s appointment. It is also a shot at Google, as the company sees a former employer join a rival to spearhead a key division.
Inflection AI has confirmed that all three of its cofounders are changing roles. As two leave for the launch of Microsoft AI, Reid Hoffman will continue on the board. The company will have a new CEO in Sean White.
Inflection AI is a tech company founded in 2022. It builds hardware and apps powered by machine learning and generative AI. The company prioritizes social good as a public benefit corporation and are headquartered in Palo Alto, California.
