- Microsoft is recombining the management of its Windows operating system and Surface devices, as the head of the related project has stepped down from his current role.
- The matter is part of the fallout from Microsoft’s appointment of a former Google artificial intelligence leader to run its new AI division.
- The newly formed Microsoft AI Group will focus on developing the Copilot chatbot and further integrating it into various Microsoft products, as well as overseeing consumer AI products and research.
New management
Microsoft is reintegrating the management of its Windows operating system and Surface devices, a move that is part of the fallout from Microsoft’s appointment of a former Google artificial intelligence (AI) leader to run its new AI division. Mikhail Parakhin resigned a week after Microsoft unveiled its integrated customer AI strategy and may leave the company. Mikhail Parakhin, who as CEO of Microsoft Advertising and Web Services is also responsible for Windows and Web experience, has been placed under the leadership of former Google and Anon Mustafa Suleyman in his current role. The latter recently joined Microsoft as Executive vice President and CEO of Artificial Intelligence and leads Microsoft’s generative AI team.
Also read: Microsoft Teams is getting smarter Copilot AI features
Windows and Surface
Along with Parakhin’s move, Microsoft is also merging the Windows Experience and Windows + Devices teams into a core part of the Experience + Devices (E+D) division to streamline its AI customer strategy, according to Jha’s memo. “This will allow us to take a holistic approach to building chips, systems, experiences, and devices across Windows clients and the cloud to fit this AI era.” He wrote, announcing a direct report to Pavan Davuluri as head of Microsoft’s Windows and Surface teams, which “will continue to work with the Microsoft AI team on AI, chips, and experience.” “It makes more sense to put Windows and Surface under one leader than to split those roles,” he said. “Recombining these capabilities suggests that Microsoft will be more aggressive in optimizing hardware and software to create user experiences.”
Also read: Microsoft hires DeepMind co-founder Mustafa Suleyman as CEO of new AI unit
New-born Microsoft AI group
Suleyman co-founded the DeepMind AI Lab in London in 2010, one of the pioneers in the field; Google acquired the lab in 2014. He partnered with Google in 2022 to co-found and lead another AI startup, Inflection AI. Microsoft is tightening its consumer artificial intelligence strategy and preparing for a major push. In fact, the organizational change is designed to help the company “redouble its efforts on this innovation.” The newly formed Microsoft AI Group will focus on developing the Copilot chatbot and further integrating it into various Microsoft products, as well as overseeing consumer AI products and research.
