The End of AI Frontiers

After ChatGPT's release in 2023, Microsoft Research created the AI Frontiers sub-organization (~50 people) to coordinate coherent research efforts more effectively, developing tools like the Autogen framework and fundamental capabilities like the Full Bandwidth Transformer. In September, AI Frontiers was reorganized into the larger Microsoft AI division led by ex-Inflection leadership, creating tensions between AI Frontiers' research-focused philosophy and Microsoft AI's emphasis on scaling models over fundamental research.