Microsoft sets up new division to explore AI's societal impact
What's the story
Microsoft has announced the creation of a new division, the Advanced Planning Unit (APU), within its Microsoft AI business vertical. The unit's main goal is to explore the societal, health, and work-related impact of artificial intelligence. The move comes as AI increasingly takes center stage in the tech giant's growth strategy, despite some shareholder concerns.
Unit functions
APU's role in Microsoft's AI strategy
The APU will operate under the leadership of Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman. The unit has been assigned the job of conducting advanced research to "explore and articulate" possible scenarios for AI's future. It will also make product recommendations and plan outcome suggestions based on the same. The APU will create a series of events, publications, and reports to improve understanding of AI.
Hiring details
APU's recruitment drive and operational scope
The APU is looking for people from different domains, including economics, psychology, and new-age fields such as quantum, nuclear, and silicon. Suleyman stressed that these roles would be critical in comprehending the fast-changing world of AI. The unit will work from Microsoft AI's offices in Silicon Valley and London.
Strategic shifts
Microsoft's recent AI-focused restructuring and future plans
The formation of the APU comes just weeks after Microsoft restructured to create a new internal AI organization, CoreAI - Platform and Tools. The reorganization combined the firm's existing Developer Division and AI platform teams to put AI at the forefront. CEO Satya Nadella said in a memo that Microsoft's focus in the coming year will be on apps driven by AI models that "reshape all application categories."