Despite the ongoing debate, Microsoft's leaders support the continuation of the lab in China. Peter Lee, who leads Microsoft Research, reaffirmed the company's commitment to the lab and its research team, stating that there has been no discussion or advocacy to close it. The company looks forward to continuing its research agenda at the Beijing lab.
Key takeaways:
- Microsoft opened an advanced research lab in Beijing in 1998, which became one of the most important A.I. labs in the world, pioneering work in speech, image and facial recognition and artificial intelligence.
- Due to increasing tensions between the U.S. and China over technological leadership, Microsoft's top leaders have been debating the future of the Beijing lab for at least the past year.
- Microsoft has faced questions from U.S. officials about the viability of maintaining a 200-person advanced technologies lab in China, and has responded by instituting restrictions on politically sensitive work and opening a backup outpost in Vancouver, British Columbia.
- Despite discussions about potentially shutting down or moving the lab, Microsoft's leaders support its continuation in China, and Peter Lee, who leads Microsoft Research, confirmed there has been no discussion to close Microsoft Research Asia.