John Langford, a partner researcher manager at Microsoft Research New York, has departed the company and announced the end of the AI Frontiers group, according to a post on his blog Machine Learning (Theory) shared on social media November 6.
The AI Frontiers group, which had approximately 50 people, was relocated from Microsoft Research to Microsoft AI in early September. Langford wrote that he found placement for his team members before leaving, though his account did not detail the group’s formal status or where remaining staff were assigned.
Langford and colleagues created AI Frontiers within Microsoft Research in 2023, aiming for more organized research following ChatGPT’s release. The group’s work centered on making AI agents function reliably. Key projects included Autogen, a framework for coordinating agents, and Fara, an agent that operates computers to perform tasks. Some researchers also explored ways to improve models without simply increasing their size.
According to Digg’s summary of Langford’s post, he described the leadership philosophy in Microsoft AI as focused on scaling rather than fundamental research, emphasizing data acquisition, creation, and refinement. Langford acknowledged the business logic behind this approach, noting that returns to scale are more predictable than returns to research. However, he characterized a scaling-only approach as misdirected and unenjoyable. He did not argue that scaling should stop, but rather that scaling and fundamental research should operate in parallel.
Langford wrote that he could not get innovations used or seriously considered while in Microsoft AI, and a return to Microsoft Research held little appeal. He expressed doubt that research could reach practical use from that division either. He stated he is not comfortable at a company where his research has no path to real application.
Langford also announced there will be no internships with the group in the coming year and expressed well-wishes for colleagues he is leaving behind. His profile on arXiv lists him as a founding member of Microsoft Research New York and co-creator of the Vowpal Wabbit machine-learning library. A 2023 Test of Time Award at The Web Conference recognized his contextual-bandit paper on personalized news recommendation.
Key facts
- John Langford, a partner researcher manager at Microsoft Research New York, has left Microsoft and declared the AI Frontiers group finished.
- The AI Frontiers group had about 50 people and was moved from Microsoft Research to Microsoft AI in early September.
- The group was created in 2023 with a focus on making AI agents function reliably, producing projects including Autogen and Fara.
- Langford characterized Microsoft AI’s leadership philosophy as prioritizing scaling over fundamental research.
- Langford stated he could not get innovations used or seriously considered within Microsoft AI and expressed discomfort with a company where research has no path to real application.