About
Juan M. Lavista Ferres is the Corporate Vice President and Chief Data Scientist of the AI for Good Lab at Microsoft. Leading a team of dedicated data scientists and researchers in the domains of AI, Machine Learning, and statistical modeling, he partners with domain experts, researchers, and organizations worldwide to create a collaborative ecosystem that drives progress toward addressing some of the world’s most pressing challenges.
Juan started the Microsoft AI for Good Lab efforts related to SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), and his work was published in top academic Journals, such as Pediatrics. This initial success set the stage for him and the team to widen their focus to a multitude of global challenges such as digital literacy, equity, climate change, disaster response, conservation, health, cybersecurity, and more. The outcomes of these endeavors found resonance not only in respected research journals but also in acclaimed news outlets, including Geekwire, BBC, NPR, Fast Company, Fortune Magazine, New York Times, CNN, USA Today, and more, totaling over 100 global news platforms.
A sought-after speaker, Juan has been featured at Strata, IEEE, TedX, Cornell University, and UC Berkeley, among others. His influence extends across borders, as he’s shared insights in the US, Canada, Switzerland, Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, New Zealand, Africa, and Uruguay. In addition, Juan’s editorial leadership shapes the Microsoft Journal of Applied Research (MSJAR), helping to define AI and Data Science within Microsoft.
Prior to his current role, Juan’s journey encompassed impactful roles in Microsoft’s Experimentation Platform (EXP) and Bing Data Mining team, as well as co-founding Alerts.com. Drawing from a six-year tenure at the InterAmerican Development Bank, he applied data science to understand poverty reduction and equality in Latin America and the Caribbean. Juan dives in to address global challenges armed with a computer science degree from the Catholic University in Uruguay, a graduate degree in Data Mining and Machine Learning from Johns Hopkins University and a PhD in AI on Healthcare from Vrije Universiteit of Amsterdam. Juan resides in Kirkland, WA, with his wife and three children.
Featured content
AI for Good: Applications in Sustainability, Humanitarian Action, and Health
In “AI for Good: Applications in Sustainability, Humanitarian Action, and Health,” a team of veteran Microsoft AI researchers deliver an insightful and fascinating discussion of how one of the world’s most recognizable software companies is tackling some of the world’s greatest challenges with the power of artificial intelligence (AI).
The Prompt: Sometimes AI is the only solution
Join Trevor Noah as he quizzes Microsoft’s Juan M. Lavista Ferres, Corporate Vice President, Chief Data Scientist, and Director of the AI for Good Lab, on the many ways Microsoft collaborates with organizations globally, combining creativity and curiosity to advance solutions that empower every person and protect our planet. Tune in and find out why sometimes AI is the only solution. - The Prompt
Can AI save the world? New book from Microsoft aims to show the potential for positive change
In advance of the new AI for Good book release, Juan M. Lavista Ferres joins Todd Bishop of GeekWire for a conversation about the lab’s work, the potential for AI to bring about positive change in the world, and takeaways for the rest of us as we look to apply artificial intelligence to our daily work and lives. - GeekWire
The rhythms of the rainforest
Hear Amazon's call for conservation through bioacoustics. In the heart of South America lies the Amazon Rainforest, a crucial component of the Earth’s ecological balance. Spanning across nine countries and covering over 5.5 million square kilometers, the Amazon is not just a geographical marvel—it’s a critical indicator of the planet’s health. - Microsoft Unlocked
Quitbot: Using AI to help fight addiction
After years of public service announcements and tools to help people kick the habit, smoking is still the leading cause of preventable disease and death. Globally, there are 1.3 billion active tobacco users and, every year, roughly 8 million people around the world die from tobacco use. Even non-smokers are at risk from tobacco, with second-hand smoke implicated in adverse health outcomes, causing 1.2 million deaths annually. - LinkedIn article