Plans include a new lab for the research team relocated to
the heart of Montreal AI hub.
MONTREAL, Sept. 19, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ - Microsoft Research
Montreal announced today that it is relocating its office to
Mile-Ex, Montreal's new AI Hub.
Since the start of 2017, the Microsoft Research Montreal lab has
played a fundamental role in research that aims to teach machines
to read, think and communicate like humans. The state-of-the-art
research lab has been steadily building its presence in
Montreal, one of the bases of
Canada's AI research corridor.
Today's announcement reinforces Microsoft's plans to continue to
grow its research and engineering teams in Montreal over the next couple of years.
Located at 6795 Marconi, the new lab, expected to open in Fall
2019, will be steps away from the new Montreal Institute for
Learning Algorithms (MILA) and other AI research labs in the
community.
"We chose to build a Microsoft Research lab in Montreal because we wanted to be a part of the
thriving research and academic community in Montreal and Throughout Canada, said
Jennifer Chayes, Technical Fellow
and Managing Director, Microsoft Research New England &
New York City and Montreal. "With the support of the world-class
local talent, our growth has outpaced our expectations. By
continuing to invest in the region, we are helping build a stronger
research ecosystem, one that employs great local people, and brings
new talent to the area."
Yoshua Bengio, the Scientific
Director at MILA, welcomes Microsoft Research to the Mile-Ex. The
research lab will be located across the street from the new MILA
research lab and office in Mile-Ex. "I am delighted to see
Microsoft Research Montreal join Montreal's new AI hub in the Mile-Ex around
MILA. This is good for the AI ecosystem and for collaborations
between all its actors. With two of Microsoft's researchers also
being adjunct professors at Université de Montréal and McGill University, this relocation and proximity to
MILA will help facilitate their supervision of MILA graduate
students, something very important to the growth of Montreal's talent pool."
Navdeep Bains, Canada's Minister of Innovation, Science and
Economic Development welcomed the growth announcement. "By
committing to recruit top talent from our local universities and
universities around the world, Microsoft Research has given
students the opportunity they need to excel in the good jobs of
today and tomorrow. The Microsoft Research Montreal lab's growth
and new footprint will advance Montreal's well-earned reputation as an AI
hub, and will promote development and investment in the research
community across Canada."
The new space will triple Microsoft Research's physical
footprint in Montreal and further
demonstrates Microsoft Research's dedication to building a strong,
world-class research ecosystem in Canada. Occupying 31,610 square feet the lab
will occupy the entire fourth floor, and a large portion of the
third floor. Additionally, the lab will have exclusive access to a
terrace on the fourth-floor roof top of the building. Relocating
the research lab creates a two-prong real estate strategy in
Montreal for Microsoft.
While Microsoft Research Montreal will be relocating,
Microsoft's sales office will remain in the central business
district of downtown Montreal.
Canderel, one of Canada's
foremost real estate development, investment and management
companies, is leading the development at 6795 Marconi.
Bradley Birks, Vice-President,
Leasing, Canderel, commented "Canderel and our partner, Claridge,
are thrilled to welcome Microsoft Research as the anchor and lead
tenant at 6795 Marconi. We feel privileged to be associated
with a company as prominent as Microsoft and look forward to
working closely together to create a unique research facility for
their team."
"The fundamental principle in designing this project was to be
at the forefront of creating a new office environment in one of
Montreal's most vibrant
neighbourhoods. The relocation of Microsoft Research to 6795
Marconi confirms the project's significance as the preeminent
office complex in the global hub for artificial intelligence
research, Montreal's
Mile-Ex" said Eric Cordon,
Associate, Development, Canderel.
Montreal International, which has been at the forefront of
accelerating the success of the research labs in Montreal, celebrated the news. "Microsoft
Research's expansion reinforces Montreal's unique position and reputation as a
global leader in the field of artificial intelligence. Their work
with faculties, students, and the broader academic community
highlights the city's international reach and the strengths of a
business ecosystem that is firmly focused on collaboration,
research and innovation", said Hubert
Bolduc, President and CEO of Montreal International. "We are
excited to support them and contribute to the global recognition of
our region!"
The Mayor of Montreal,
Valerie Plante also welcomed the
news of the relocation and growth of the Montreal research lab news. "Microsoft's
decision to expand its Montreal
research lab in the heart of the new AI hub in the Mile-Ex
reaffirms the city's emerging position as a global leader in
artificial intelligence. I am proud to see Montreal's research and academic community
support each other and boast complementary strengths," said
Valerie Plante, Mayor of
Montreal. "Montreal is a vibrant and creative city with
well-known academic institutions and some of the highest standards
in quality of life allowing us to attract the best talent around
the world. I am glad to see Microsoft Research play a greater role
in this aspect."
About Microsoft Research Montreal
The Microsoft
Research Montreal lab plays a fundamental role in the state-of-the
art research that aims to teach machines to read, think and
communicate like humans. Located in Montreal, one of the fastest growing AI
communities in the world, the lab fosters open collaborations with
partners throughout industry and academic institutions in the city
and around the world.
SOURCE Microsoft Canada Inc