John Langford left Microsoft after a big restructuring changed the company’s focus. His team merged into the main AI group, which now prioritizes scaling models over experimental research. Langford said, "This new direction limited our ability to push boundaries in AI." Microsoft continues its plans for a superintelligence lab.
John Langford, a major force behind Microsoft's AI research, has left the company following a big restructuring.
His team was merged into the main Microsoft AI group, which shifted its focus away from experimental projects and toward scaling up existing models.
Langford shared on his blog that this new direction limited their ability to push boundaries in AI.
Langford, known for creating Vowpal Wabbit and coining the term "contextual bandits," pointed out that leadership now sees AI differently than he does, with less attention on bold research.
Even so, Microsoft AI is moving ahead with plans like launching a superintelligence lab and rolling out new models.