Faculty Summit 2016

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Past events:
Faculty Summit 2017
Faculty Summit 2015
Faculty Summit 2014
Faculty Summit 2013
Faculty Summit 2012
Faculty Summit 2011
Faculty Summit 2010
Faculty Summit 2009

The 17^th annual Microsoft Research Faculty Summit once again proved its unique place at the nexus of industry and academic research as more than 500 participants from around the world gathered in Redmond. This year’s theme focused on where and how computing can contribute to increasing productivity in our professional and personal activities. Attendees from academia and Microsoft participated in sessions ranging from virtual reality, optical networks, streaming analytics and big data infrastructure to the future of work and crowdsourced problem solving.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella headlined the opening keynote in a fireside chat. Highlighting the empowering nature of technological innovation, Nadella credited Microsoft Research for its “ability to push the envelope of fundamental research in an environment where the company is much broader than any one product, or any one technology, or one segment.”

In the final fireside chat before the packed audience, Bill Gates shared his take on key areas like machine learning, and image and speech recognition. Watch the highlights in the video below:

Several participants also took advantage of the opportunity to participate in third day workshops on topics that included quantum algorithms, the edge of AI, and safe autonomous cybersecurity.

Every year the field of computing, fueled by academic and industry research, is positioned to address world-scale challenges. And, every year the magnitude of “world-scale” and the capabilities of computing advance dramatically.

Selected sessions are available for viewing on the “On-demand” tab.

Keynote Speakers

• Satya Nadella, Chief Executive Officer, Microsoft Corporation
• Bill Gates, Co-Chair, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
• Harry Shum, Executive Vice President, Technology and Research, Microsoft
• Jeannette M. Wing, Corporate Vice President, Microsoft Research
• Peter Lee, Corporate Vice President, Microsoft Research
• Rick Rashid, Chief Technology Officer, Microsoft Applications and Services Group
• Mark Russinovich, Chief Technology Officer, Microsoft Azure

Organizers