Microsoft has announced plans to double the size of its artificial intelligence research and development group in Montreal in the next two years, following its recent acquisition of Maluuba, a Montreal-based research-oriented start-up focused on deep learning. The company is also looking for more AI talent at home, with an eye toward hiring up to 50 people over the course of 2018, according to a press release. “Microsoft is excited to engage with faculties, students and the broader tech community in Montreal, which is becoming a global hub for AI research and innovation,” Microsoft president Brad Smith said at Davos, according to a blog post from Janet Kennedy, president of Microsoft Canada. In addition to Microsoft's expansion in Montreal, it will donate CAD$6m ($4.56m) to the University of Montreal and CAD$1m to McGill University to pay for AI research.
Microsoft has announced plans to double the size of its artificial intelligence research and development group in Montreal in the next two years, following its recent acquisition of Maluuba, a Montreal-based research-oriented start-up focused on deep learning. The company is also looking for more AI talent at home, with an eye toward hiring up to 50 people over the course of 2018, according to a press release. In addition to Microsoft's expansion in Montreal, it will donate CAD$6m ($4.56m) to the University of Montreal and CAD$1m to McGill University to pay for AI research.