Microsoft is establishing a new office in London specifically focused on research and development in artificial intelligence (AI).
Mustafa Suleyman, the AI leader at the tech company, announced plans to recruit “exceptional individuals” for various roles in the coming weeks and months.
However, the exact number of jobs to be generated has not been disclosed.
Microsoft, a significant investor in OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, also opened an office in London in 2023.
“There is an enormous pool of AI talent and expertise in the UK,” said Mr Suleyman in a blog post.
“Microsoft AI plans to make a significant, long-term investment in the region as we begin hiring the best AI scientists and engineers into this new AI hub.”
Mr. Suleyman co-founded the AI research lab DeepMind in the UK, which was acquired by Google in 2014.
In 2022, he launched his own AI startup, Inflection AI, before joining Microsoft in March.
Mr. Suleyman announced that AI engineer Jordan Hoffmann, who previously worked for DeepMind and Inflection, will oversee operations at the new office.
“Microsoft AI London will drive pioneering work to advance state-of-the-art language models and their supporting infrastructure,” said Mr Suleyman.
He also commended the UK’s “safety-first” approach to AI, following the recent collaboration agreement signed by UK Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan with the US for testing advanced AI models.
Mr. Suleyman emphasized that the new UK office would work closely with personnel at OpenAI, in which Microsoft has made significant investments.
Previously, Microsoft announced its plans to expand on its initial $1 billion (£790 million) investment in OpenAI with a “multi-year, multi-billion” partnership at the beginning of 2023.
Furthermore, Microsoft has pledged its support to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, particularly during the turbulent period of his removal and subsequent reinstatement at the helm of the company in November.
Since then, Microsoft has ascended to become the world’s most valuable publicly listed company, with its market value surpassing $3 trillion.
“Microsoft AI opening a new hub in the heart of London is another feather in the cap of the capital’s burgeoning tech ecosystem,” said Russ Shaw, founder of campaign group Tech London Advocates.
He said the announcement of its London office “should be seen as a huge vote of confidence for the UK from one of the global tech industry’s major players”.
“AI is already helping people to work more efficiently and creatively, and it’s vital for the UK’s status as a world-leading tech ecosystem that it remains at the forefront of research and innovation into the technology,” he added.