Source: Brian Smale/Microsoft
What you need to know
- Microsoft's head of its AI and Research group, Harry Shum, is leaving the company.
- He will be replaced by CTO Kevin Scott.
- Shum, a 23-year Microsoft veteran, will stay on through February.
Harry Shum, the head of Microsoft's AI and Research group, is leaving the company, according to a report from ZDNet. Taking his place is Microsoft CTO Kevin Scott, who has assumed Shum's role starting today. The move was announced via an internal letter from Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella today.
"Harry has had a profound impact on Microsoft," Nadella reportedly said in the letter. "His contributions in the fields of computer science and AI leave a legacy and a strong foundation for future innovation. I want to thank him for his leadership and partnership, and for all he has done for Microsoft."
Shum has lead the AI and Research team since its creation in 2016. He has spent 23 years at the company after initially joining Microsoft Research in 1996. In his role as the head of AI and Research, shum was responsible for "driving the company's overall AI strategy and forward-looking research and development efforts spanning infrastructure, services, apps and agents," Microsoft says in his executive bio.
Scott previously headed up LinkedIn's engineering and operations team before moving to Microsoft. According to ZDNet, his team at Microsoft has focused on finding applications for deep learning, mixed reality, data dignity, and the Intelligent Edge.
There's no word on Shum's next moves, but he is expected to stay on at Microsoft through February 1, 2020. ZDNet reports that he will continue to be an advisor for Nadella and Bill Gates.
We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.
Update 6: Microsoft wants all of TikTok, but Trump's order may interfere
The Financial Times reports that as part of negotiations, Microsoft is now inquiring whether it can buy all of TikTok, instead of just the business in the US., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. This new plan would include India and Europe (and excluding China).
Surface Duo and double Dans take over this week's Android Central podcast
Need even more Surface Duo in your life? Check out the latest Android Central podcast, in which Daniel Rubino and Daniel Bader (double the Dans!) discuss Surface Duo, Microsoft's Samsung love affair, and Project xCloud.
This is the best Windows 10 tablet you can buy right now
There are many Windows 10 tablets on the market, but it's hard to sort through the rubbish. Here's our picks for the best Windows 10 tablets you can buy right now. At the top of our list is the Surface Pro X, which we think is the best due to its ARM processor, large display, and thin form factor while still packing good battery life and excellent performance.
These are the best gaming laptops for playing PUBG
You have a lot of options when it comes to gaming laptops for playing PUBG. Luckily, this game can run on a lot of different machines. Here are our picks for the best laptops for PUBG.