Why research remains so important to innovation – and to a vital economy

Microsoft’s research investments in speech, natural language processing and machine learning have contributed to the development of Skype Translator and Cortana. The company’s investments in biological computing and quantum computing are examples of “our bets on the future of computing,” writes Jeannette Wing, corporate vice president at Microsoft Research, who oversees the company’s core research labs.

At Microsoft, basic research is supported through Microsoft Research labs because “we believe that it is key to building a strong company and a strong economy,” Wing says.

Recently, American industry, academic, science and engineering leaders, including Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, signed the Innovation Imperative, urging Congress to enact policies to ensure that the United States remains the global innovation leader by renewing the federal commitment to scientific discovery, reaffirming the merit-based peer review process and improving student achievement in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), Wing says.

To further lend support to the effort, this week Wing will participate in a roundtable discussion to help identify key priorities for what is known as the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2015.

To learn more, read Wing’s post on Inside Microsoft Research.

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