Microsoft Research

Called to serve: Tech, research, and positive impact

Lab Director Chris White discusses his research on real‑world problems, including wartime data analysis and tools to fight human trafficking. He explains the influences that guided his work and shares insights with program manager Weishung Liu. The conversation highlights how technology and research can drive positive societal impact.

Microsoft Research
Sep 28

One year in: How Microsoft Research Asia – Singapore is advancing research, partnership and talent for real-world impact

Microsoft Research Asia – Singapore, launched a year ago, has built a solid foundation and strengthened collaboration with government, academia, and industry. The lab is exploring how frontier AI research can generate real‑world value. It continues to advance research, partnership, and talent for practical impact.

By Microsoft Research Team
Microsoft Research
3d ago

Learn the rules: The hacker mindset

Research Manager Mike Walker discusses his career across hacker culture, cybersecurity, and AI, offering insights into trust, teamwork, leadership, and the importance of curiosity, judgment, and agility for tackling tough problems. He emphasizes that understanding the rules is essential for effective problem‑solving in these fields.

By Weishung Liu, Mike Walker
Microsoft Research
Oct 29

Microsoft Research Focus – Edition #97

Microsoft Research Focus – Edition #97 features host Sowbhagya Suresh discussing recent developments across Microsoft. Topics include challenges faced by coding agents, insights into how people use AI at work, and advancements in extended‑range weather forecasting. The episode highlights cutting‑edge research and practical applications within the company.

By Sowbhagya Suresh
Microsoft Research
Oct 6

What AI gets wrong and what failure teaches us

Jennifer Neville, who initially had no interest in computer science, found herself in the field and has since focused on uncovering the unexpected failures that challenge AI’s ability to manage complexity. In her article, she reflects on the career path that led her to this niche, highlighting the moments of both progress and setbacks that shaped her work. The piece emphasizes how these surprising failures reveal the limits of current AI systems.

By Chad Atalla, Jennifer Neville
Towards Data Science
Sep 29

AI Made Data Scientists Faster. Now It’s Expanding the Job.

AI has accelerated data scientists’ productivity, but its influence extends beyond speed. The technology is reshaping who owns data, how judgment is exercised, and the overall career trajectory of data scientists. These changes signal a broader transformation in the field’s structure and responsibilities.

By Yu Dong
Towards Data Science
Oct 8

AI Engineers, Applied Scientists, Forward Deployed Engineers: Let's Unpack.

The article examines the emerging data science roles that have surfaced following the Large Language Model boom, focusing on AI Engineers, Applied Scientists, and Forward Deployed Engineers. It explores how these positions differ and what responsibilities they entail in the current AI landscape. The piece provides an overview of each role’s unique contributions to the development and deployment of AI technologies.

By Piero Paialunga
MIT News AI
Oct 2

Documenting the tech worker movement

Writing as a participant and researcher, PhD student JS Tan SM ’22 has co-authored a new book about the rise of tech worker protests and the employer backlash that followed.

By Maria Iacobo | School of Architecture and Planning
MIT News AI
Oct 2

Documenting the tech worker movement

PhD student JS Tan SM ’22, writing as both participant and researcher, co‑authored a new book that documents the rise of tech worker protests and the subsequent employer backlash. The work examines how these movements have unfolded and the reactions they have provoked within the tech industry.

By Maria Iacobo | School of Architecture and Planning
Towards Data Science
Sep 30

Insight Is Still the Currency of Data Science

The article titled "Insight Is Still the Currency of Data Science" discusses how coding agents free up time for discovery and argues that review practices should evolve to align with analytical work. It emphasizes the importance of focusing on insight rather than merely producing code. The piece was originally published on Towards Data Science.

By Andrew Hinton