Microsoft Research Blog

The Shape of Things to Come 

March 3, 2026 | Doug Burger
Technical advances are moving at such a rapid pace that it can be challenging to define the tomorrow we’re working toward. In The Shape of Things to Come, Microsoft Research leader Doug Burger and experts from across disciplines tease out the thorniest AI issues facing…

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  1. Illustration of Doug Burger

    The Shape of Things to Come 

    March 3, 2026 | Doug Burger

    Technical advances are moving at such a rapid pace that it can be challenging to define the tomorrow we’re working toward. In The Shape of Things to Come, Microsoft Research leader Doug Burger and experts from across disciplines tease out the thorniest AI issues facing…

  2. test hero

    Advancing AI for the physical world 

    January 21, 2026

    Rho-alpha, which translates natural language commands into control signals for robotic systems doing bimanual manipulation tasks, aims to make physical systems more adaptable by using physical sensing modalities like touch and continuous learning from human feedback.

  3. On Second Thought with Sinead Bovell

    On Second Thought 

    January 14, 2026

    On Second Thought is a video series built around the questions everyone’s asking about AI. With expert voices from across Microsoft, we break down the tension and promise of this rapidly changing technology, exploring what’s evolving and what’s possible.

  4. Microsoft Research 2025: Year in review

    Microsoft Research 2025: A year in review 

    December 19, 2025

    From AI-driven material discovery and protein modeling to agentic systems, gaming, and multilingual AI for the global majority, 2025 turned research into real-world impact. Explore the breakthroughs in Microsoft Research’s Year in Review.

  5. 3D Telecommunications | A combined team of technicians from ECL Global and Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Ghana prepares the mobile 3D Telemedicine installation for use in Koforidua, Ghana.

    3D Telecommunications goes open source 

    December 17, 2025

    Holoportation™ technology, enabling real-time 3D telecommunications, has evolved from the lab to real-world use. After a decade of refinement and real-world deployment, it's been released via open source license to encourage wider use and development.

  6. purple network node icons floating in the lower right area on a black background

    What’s next in AI? 

    December 8, 2025

    What’s next in AI for 2026? Microsoft researchers share what they expect, from adaptive robotics to agent‑native economies. Explore the areas of innovation set to define the next chapter.

  7. a field of green plants with two people walking in between the rows

    Advancing AI to meet needs of the global majority 

    November 12, 2025

    AI tools can perform poorly in non-Western languages and lack critical cultural context for many populations. Project Gecko uses small language models to bring vital expertise to farmers in underserved areas using local languages and multi-modal content.

  8. Research Forum | Episode 5 - abstract background with colorful hexagons

    Research Forum Brief | February 2025 

    February 25, 2025

    Research advances are driving real-world impact faster than ever, with the latest advances in AI transforming the way we all live, work, and think. In this episode, discover how precision health, multimodal AI agents, and innovative chemical synthesis models are advancing clinical care, agents, and…

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