Research
Below please find an index of news and awards that recognize Microsoft researchers’ contribution to scientific research and commitment to advancing computer science.
Dream engineering has been named the most powerful idea of the 21st century so far by BBC Science Focus (opens in new tab) experts, marking a profound shift in how science understands dreaming. Once considered subjective and…
AI is transforming conservation in ways that were out of reach just a few years ago. The biodiversity crisis spans continents and species, so our tools must be open, adaptable, and collaborative—able to move from…
Around the world, the dangers of extreme weather are a daily reality. In 2024, extreme weather displaced or disrupted the lives of more than 800,000 (opens in new tab) people worldwide —a reminder that accurate, timely forecasts aren’t just about data; they’re about people. From farmers deciding when to plant to coastal…
AI tools can perform poorly in non-Western languages and lack critical cultural context for many populations. Project Gecko uses small language models to bring vital expertise to farmers in underserved areas using local languages and…
The AI Economy Institute, Microsoft’s flagship think tank released its AI Diffusion Report, offering comprehensive view of where artificial intelligence is being used, developed, and built globally. The report provides country-level estimates of AI adoption, insights…
In northern central Colombia, Middle Magdalena Valley (MMV) is home to some of the world’s most remarkable biodiversity. Stretching between the central and eastern Andes mountains, this valley is crucial to the health of our…
If we can put astronauts on the moon, conservationists shouldn’t have to hike miles through dense forests to change the batteries on cameras, says Juan M. Lavista Ferres, chief data scientist at the AI for…
Choukse was recognized for her foundational contributions to hardware memory compression and to sustainable and efficient datacenter systems.
The 2025–2026 Joseph O. Hirschfelder Prize in Theoretical Chemistry was awarded to Dr. Frank Noé, Partner Research Manager at Microsoft Research AI for Science on October 21, 2025 at the Hirschfelder Award Banquet held at…
On Wednesday, researchers at Microsoft released a new simulation environment designed to test AI agents, along with new research showing that current agentic models may be vulnerable to manipulation. Conducted in collaboration with Arizona State University, the…