Microsoft Research Blog

OptiMind: A small language model with optimization expertise 

January 15, 2026
OptiMind is a small language model that converts business operation challenges, described naturally, into mathematical formulations that optimization software can solve. It reduces formulation time & errors & enables fast, privacy-preserving local use.

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  1. A flowchart with three horizontal sections on a blue-to-green gradient background. The first section, labeled “Classification,” shows icons of a computer, an arrow pointing to a robot face, and another arrow pointing to a box labeled “TSP.” The second section, labeled “Inference,” displays a robot icon connected by arrows to two document icons, one of which includes a magnifying glass. The third section, labeled “Test-time scaling,” shows a document with a checkmark connected by an arrow to a circular refresh icon. Arrows indicate the flow between sections, starting from Classification to Inference and then to Test-time scaling.

    OptiMind: A small language model with optimization expertise 

    January 15, 2026

    OptiMind is a small language model that converts business operation challenges, described naturally, into mathematical formulations that optimization software can solve. It reduces formulation time & errors & enables fast, privacy-preserving local use.

  2. Three white line icons on a blue-to-green gradient background: a computer monitor with a globe symbol on the left, a cursor arrow with click lines in the center, and a computer mouse outline on the right.

    Fara-7B: An Efficient Agentic Model for Computer Use 

    November 24, 2025

    Fara-7B is our first agentic small language model for computer use. This experimental model includes robust safety measures to aid responsible deployment. Despite its size, Fara-7B holds its own against larger, more resource-intensive agentic systems.

  3. Workflow icons showing tasks, thinking, and time, linked to a person symbol on a gradient background.

    Tell me when: Building agents that can wait, monitor, and act 

    October 21, 2025

    SentinelStep enables AI agents to handle monitoring tasks that run for hours or days, like watching for emails or tracking prices. It works by managing when agents should check and their context, avoiding wasted resources and missed updates.

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