Watch Bill Gates deliver the opening keynote at the Microsoft Research Faculty Summit live today at 9 a.m.

Get Microsoft Silverlight

Microsoft’s Redmond campus, already bursting with brainpower, is about to get another big infusion with the 14th annual Microsoft Research Faculty Summit.

Today and tomorrow, 400 elite academic researchers from 200 institutions and 29 countries will join Microsoft Research to explore hot trends and burning issues in computer science research. Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates will set the Summit’s tone by addressing how computing can help solve global problems as the event’s opening keynote speaker – the first time he’s been back in that role since 2005. He will also take questions from those attending the talk, as well as from online viewers.

The Summit brings together thought leaders like Clay Shirky – who will discuss user-centric approaches to data – to exchange cutting edge ideas and trends in software engineering and quantum computing. There are also plenty of conversations about developments in combatting Internet fraud, refining prediction engines and using social media during crises. You can also learn how software reduces the cost of genome research and puts cancer cures within reach. Peruse the agenda and speakers’ biographies for more details, and check out the main Summit page for even more details.

Eric Rudder, executive vice president of Microsoft’s Advanced Strategy and Research group, will kick off the Summit with a warm welcome and introduction.

While Gates’ keynote will be rebroadcast later today, you can catch it live from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Pacific and we’ll post the video here on The Fire Hose soon after it’s over. (Live streaming broadcasts of the day’s sessions will be available through 5:30 p.m. Pacific) All live interviews will allow you to submit questions and comments through an interactive tool in the viewer.

Follow along with the rest of the Summit by keeping an eye on The Fire Hose, the Microsoft Research Connections Blog, the Inside Microsoft Research Blog and Socl. You can also join the conversation on Twitter by following @MSFTResearch and using the hashtag #FacSumm.

You might also be interested in:

Athima Chansanchai
Microsoft News Center Staff

Tags: , ,