Microsoft hires DeepMind co-founder to lead consumer AI

Microsoft has announced the hiring of Mustafa Suleyman, a renowned leader and entrepreneur in the AI field.

Suleyman, who played a pivotal role in leading Google’s DeepMind—a pioneering AI lab acquired by the tech giant in 2014—will now spearhead Microsoft’s endeavors in consumer AI products.

Suleyman’s expertise and entrepreneurial spirit have been widely recognised, particularly with his co-founding of AI startup Inflection AI. Inflection AI, valued at $4 billion, garnered investments from industry heavyweights such as Microsoft and Nvidia.

In a statement, Suleyman confirmed his departure from Inflection AI, signaling a new chapter in his career with Microsoft.

New division

As the head of Microsoft AI, Suleyman will report directly to CEO Satya Nadella.

Together with his Inflection co-founder Karén Simonyan, Suleyman will oversee a newly formed division within Microsoft dedicated to advancing consumer AI products and research, including the integration of AI into existing products like Bing and Windows.

Nadella praised Suleyman’s contributions to AI engineering and emphasized the strategic importance of his appointment.

He also highlighted that several key personnel from Inflection AI would be joining Microsoft as part of this initiative, underscoring the company’s commitment to integrating top talent into its AI division.

The creation of Microsoft AI signifies a focused effort by the tech giant to streamline its AI strategy, which previously spanned across multiple divisions.

Under Suleyman’s leadership, the division will consolidate efforts to enhance AI tools for consumer products while ensuring coherence and alignment across the organisation’s broader AI initiatives.