Microsoft Research Forum

Quarterly Brief | September 2024

The Next Era of AI Research

Research advances are driving real-world impact faster than ever, with the latest advances in AI transforming the way we all live, work, and think.

In this episode, learn about the latest multimodal AI models, advanced benchmarks for AI evaluation and model self-improvement, and an entirely new kind of computer for AI inference and hard optimization. Discover how these research breakthroughs and more can help advance everything from weather prediction to materials design. Read more about this episode below, and register (opens in new tab) for the series.

“Today we are seeing so much AI research happening at the speed of conversation, to the point where even our top researchers feel that their heads are spinning, but working together, providing openness, providing greater access, we can see that we’ve made tremendous progress.”

– Peter Lee, CVP, Microsoft Research & Incubations

@ the Forum

DIVE INTO OUR COLLECTION OF RESEARCH TALKS AND UPDATES

Research Forum | Episode 4 Keynote | Jianfeng Gao

Keynote: Phi-3-Vision: A highly capable and “small” language vision model

Jianfeng Gao introduces Phi-3-Vision, an advanced and economical open-source multimodal model. As a member of the Phi-3 model family, Phi-3-Vision enhances language models by integrating multi-sensory skills, seamlessly combining language and vision capabilities.

Research Forum | Episode 4 Panel | John Langford, Hoifung Poon, Katja Hofmann, Jianwei Yang

Microsoft researchers delve into the transformative potential and core challenges of multimodal models across various domains, including precision health, game intelligence, and foundation models.

Lightning talks & essays

Informative talks and thought-provoking essays from researchers across Microsoft about fundamental AI advances, the impact of AI on health and natural sciences, the intersection of AI and society, and more.

Analog optical computing for sustainable AI and beyond

Presented by Francesca Parmigiani and Jiaqi Chu

Direct Nash Optimization: Teaching language models to self-improve with general preferences

Presented by Corby Rosset

Project Aurora: The first large-scale foundation model of the atmosphere

Presented by Megan Stanley

A generative model of biology for in-silico experimentation and discovery

Presented by Kevin Yang

Fostering appropriate reliance on AI

Presented by Mihaela Vorvoreanu

Beyond the Forum

Research Forum is just a snapshot of the great work happening across the research community at Microsoft. Explore these links to learn more about the work of our researchers and their collaborators, the bold new ideas they’re exploring, and the impact they’ll achieve.