New Microsoft AI and IoT research lab to commence operations in May

Microsoft Corp's largest research lab for artificial intelligence and internet of things is scheduled to begin operations in Shanghai on May 15, according to a senior company executive.

Known as the Microsoft AI&IoT Insider Lab, the facility is expected to help more than 300 corporate clients turn their prototypes into products every year, said Hsiao-Wuen Hon, vice-president of Microsoft and the managing director of Microsoft Research Asia.

Located on the "AIsland", a specialized AI hub in the Zhangjiang Science City in Shanghai's Pudong New Area, the lab is designed to deepen the integration of AI and IoT by providing companies with hardware and software assistance as well as cloud and AI solutions. 

Hon said Shanghai has been a pioneering force in the country's reform and opening-up and has an advantage in the deployment of AI.

"Local authorities have been engaged in the discussion of developing AI since a long time ago and Zhangjiang's AI deployment is highly visionary," he said.

The US tech giant announced the establishment of its third such lab in Shanghai in January.