{"id":1137427,"date":"2025-05-07T07:45:56","date_gmt":"2025-05-07T14:45:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/?post_type=msr-event&#038;p=1137427"},"modified":"2025-05-07T09:45:18","modified_gmt":"2025-05-07T16:45:18","slug":"1st-annual-fusion-summit","status":"publish","type":"msr-event","link":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/event\/1st-annual-fusion-summit\/","title":{"rendered":"1st Annual Fusion Summit"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-full is-resized\"><a data-bi-bhvr=\"14\"  data-bi-cn=\"photos of speakers at 1st Annual Fusion Summit\" href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/FusionSummitCollage_1400x788.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1400\" height=\"788\" src=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/FusionSummitCollage_1400x788.jpg\" alt=\"photos of speakers at 1st Annual Fusion Summit\" class=\"wp-image-1138292\" style=\"width:787px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/FusionSummitCollage_1400x788.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/FusionSummitCollage_1400x788-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/FusionSummitCollage_1400x788-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/FusionSummitCollage_1400x788-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/FusionSummitCollage_1400x788-1066x600.jpg 1066w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/FusionSummitCollage_1400x788-655x368.jpg 655w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/FusionSummitCollage_1400x788-240x135.jpg 240w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/FusionSummitCollage_1400x788-640x360.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/FusionSummitCollage_1400x788-960x540.jpg 960w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/FusionSummitCollage_1400x788-1280x720.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Fusion energy represents one of humanity\u2019s boldest scientific frontiers\u2014a quest for virtually limitless, clean energy. On March 12, 2025, Microsoft Research hosted its inaugural Fusion Summit, a milestone event that brought together visionary leaders, pioneering scientists, and influential voices from both within and beyond Microsoft. This landmark gathering marked a powerful step forward in accelerating innovation and collaboration in the global fusion energy movement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI) are now transforming this quest, enabling breakthroughs in plasma control, materials discovery, reactor optimization, and predictive maintenance. This research meetup explored the convergence of AI and nuclear fusion, showcasing how machine learning, digital twins, and real-time data analysis are revolutionizing fusion research and accelerating progress toward commercialization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This summit was designed to foster connections and opportunities for individuals from various disciplines interested in nuclear fusion or related research. We explored the challenges of bringing fusion energy to the grid and the pivotal role of AI and computing in this field. The primary objective of this summit was to share knowledge, inspire attendees, and provide education through insightful panel discussions and lectures from esteemed speakers and leading experts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The summit focused on the following key topics:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Scientific, engineering, and policy challenges of bringing nuclear fusion from proof of concept to grid&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Plasma controls, reactor design optimization, materials for fusion and plasma modeling<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The role of AI and high-performance computing in advancing fusion<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\" id=\"distinguished-fusion-industry-speakers-and-panelists\">Distinguished fusion industry speakers and panelists<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1063\" height=\"1063\" src=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Sir-Steven-Cowley.jpg\" alt=\"Sir Steven Cowley\" class=\"wp-image-1138026\" style=\"width:200px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Sir-Steven-Cowley.jpg 1063w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Sir-Steven-Cowley-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Sir-Steven-Cowley-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Sir-Steven-Cowley-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Sir-Steven-Cowley-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Sir-Steven-Cowley-180x180.jpg 180w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Sir-Steven-Cowley-360x360.jpg 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1063px) 100vw, 1063px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center h5\" id=\"sir-steven-cowley\"><a class=\"msr-external-link glyph-append glyph-append-open-in-new-tab glyph-append-xsmall\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/steven-cowley-3b0629262\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sir Steven Cowley<span class=\"sr-only\"> (opens in new tab)<\/span><\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Lab Director<br>Princeton Plasma Physics Lab<br>Princeton University<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"340\" height=\"341\" src=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Richard-Buttery.png\" alt=\"Richard Buttery\" class=\"wp-image-1138025\" style=\"width:200px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Richard-Buttery.png 340w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Richard-Buttery-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Richard-Buttery-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Richard-Buttery-180x180.png 180w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Richard-Buttery-179x180.png 179w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 340px) 100vw, 340px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center h5\" id=\"richard-buttery\"><a class=\"msr-external-link glyph-append glyph-append-open-in-new-tab glyph-append-xsmall\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/richard-buttery-a36607105\/\">Richard Buttery<span class=\"sr-only\"> (opens in new tab)<\/span><\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Director and Vice President<br>DIII-D National Fusion Facility<br>General Atomics<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"340\" height=\"341\" src=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/David-Humphreys.jpg\" alt=\"David Humphreys\" class=\"wp-image-1138024\" style=\"width:200px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/David-Humphreys.jpg 340w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/David-Humphreys-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/David-Humphreys-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/David-Humphreys-180x180.jpg 180w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/David-Humphreys-179x180.jpg 179w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 340px) 100vw, 340px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center h5\" id=\"david-humphreys\"><a class=\"msr-external-link glyph-append glyph-append-open-in-new-tab glyph-append-xsmall\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/dave-humphreys-0b21b09\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">David Humphreys<span class=\"sr-only\"> (opens in new tab)<\/span><\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Director<br>Magnetic Fusion Energy Operations<br>General Atomics<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\" id=\"microsoft-speakers-and-panelists\">Microsoft speakers and panelists<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/zulfi-alam-4076836\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"340\" height=\"340\" src=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/zulfi-alam.jpg\" alt=\"Zulfi Alam\" class=\"wp-image-1138044\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/zulfi-alam.jpg 340w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/zulfi-alam-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/zulfi-alam-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/zulfi-alam-180x180.jpg 180w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 340px) 100vw, 340px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center h5\" id=\"zulfi-alam\"><a class=\"msr-external-link glyph-append glyph-append-open-in-new-tab glyph-append-xsmall\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/zulfi-alam-4076836\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Zulfi Alam<span class=\"sr-only\"> (opens in new tab)<\/span><\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Corporate Vice President<br>Microsoft Quantum<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/archie-manoharan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"340\" height=\"340\" src=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/archie-manoharan.png\" alt=\"Archie Manoharan\" class=\"wp-image-1138045\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/archie-manoharan.png 340w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/archie-manoharan-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/archie-manoharan-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/archie-manoharan-180x180.png 180w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 340px) 100vw, 340px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center h5\" id=\"archie-manoharan\"><a class=\"msr-external-link glyph-append glyph-append-open-in-new-tab glyph-append-xsmall\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/archie-manoharan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Archie Manoharan<span class=\"sr-only\"> (opens in new tab)<\/span><\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Director, Nuclear Technologies<br>Cloud Operations + Innovation<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/people\/cmbishop\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Chris-Bishop_circle.jpg\" alt=\"Christopher Bishop wearing glasses and looking at the camera\" class=\"wp-image-892440\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Chris-Bishop_circle.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Chris-Bishop_circle-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Chris-Bishop_circle-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Chris-Bishop_circle-180x180.jpg 180w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 360px) 100vw, 360px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center h5\" id=\"chris-bishop\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/people\/cmbishop\/\">Chris Bishop<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Lab Director & Technical Fellow<br>MSR AI for Science<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/people\/adfamoti\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Ade-Famoti.png\" alt=\"Ade Famoti\" class=\"wp-image-1138424\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Ade-Famoti.png 360w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Ade-Famoti-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Ade-Famoti-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Ade-Famoti-180x180.png 180w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 360px) 100vw, 360px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center h5\" id=\"ade-famoti\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/people\/adfamoti\/\">Ade Famoti<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Senior Director, Research Incubations<br>MSR Accelerator<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/people\/mahorton\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"340\" height=\"341\" src=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/matthew-horton.png\" alt=\"Matthew Horton\" class=\"wp-image-1138145\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/matthew-horton.png 340w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/matthew-horton-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/matthew-horton-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/matthew-horton-180x180.png 180w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/matthew-horton-179x180.png 179w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 340px) 100vw, 340px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center h5\" id=\"matthew-horton\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/people\/mahorton\/\">Matthew Horton<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Senior Research SDE<br>MSR AI for Science<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/people\/rageorg\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/raluca-georgescu.webp\" alt=\"Raluca Georgescu\" class=\"wp-image-1138146\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/raluca-georgescu.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/raluca-georgescu-300x300.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/raluca-georgescu-150x150.webp 150w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/raluca-georgescu-180x180.webp 180w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/raluca-georgescu-360x360.webp 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center h5\" id=\"raluca-georgescu\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/people\/rageorg\/\">Raluca Georgescu<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Senior Research Scientist<br>MSR Redmond<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"340\" height=\"340\" src=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Shruti.png\" alt=\"Shruti Rajurkar\" class=\"wp-image-1138153\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Shruti.png 340w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Shruti-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Shruti-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Shruti-180x180.png 180w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 340px) 100vw, 340px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center h5\" id=\"zulfi-alam\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/people\/srajurkar\/\">Shruti Rajurkar<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Senior Research Program Manager, Research IncubationsMSR Accelerator<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"340\" height=\"341\" src=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Tian.png\" alt=\"Tian Xie\" class=\"wp-image-1138154\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Tian.png 340w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Tian-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Tian-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Tian-180x180.png 180w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Tian-179x180.png 179w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 340px) 100vw, 340px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center h5\" id=\"archie-manoharan\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/people\/tianxie\/\">Tian Xie<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Principal Research Manager<br>MSR AI for Science<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"536\" height=\"535\" src=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Xiatian.png\" alt=\"Xiaotian Gao\" class=\"wp-image-1138155\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Xiatian.png 536w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Xiatian-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Xiatian-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Xiatian-180x180.png 180w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Xiatian-360x360.png 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 536px) 100vw, 536px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center h5\" id=\"chris-bishop\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/people\/xiaog\/\">Xiaotian Gao<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Senior Researcher<br>MSR Asia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/people\/kenjitak\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"495\" src=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/KenjiSep2021Smile.jpg\" alt=\"Kenji Takeda\" class=\"wp-image-1138288\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/KenjiSep2021Smile.jpg 495w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/KenjiSep2021Smile-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/KenjiSep2021Smile-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/KenjiSep2021Smile-180x180.jpg 180w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/KenjiSep2021Smile-360x360.jpg 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 495px) 100vw, 495px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center h5\" id=\"chris-bishop\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/people\/kenjitak\/\">Kenji Takeda<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Director<br>Research Incubations<br>MSR Accelerator<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><th>Time<\/th><th>Session Title<\/th><th>Speaker(s)<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>09:00<strong>\u2013<\/strong>09:05<\/td><td><strong>Welcome, Opening Remarks, and Distinguished Keynote Lecture: <\/strong><br><strong>Accelerating the Development of Fusion with AI <\/strong>| <a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/video\/1st-annual-fusion-summit-welcome-and-opening-remarks\/\">Video<\/a><\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/people\/allorens\/\"><strong>Ashley Llorens<\/strong><\/a>,\u202fCorporate Vice President and Managing Director, MSR Accelerator<br><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/people\/kenjitak\/\"><strong>Kenji Takeda<\/strong><\/a>, Director, Research Incubations, MSR Accelerator<br><br><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/people\/srajurkar\/\">Shruti Rajurkar<\/a><\/strong>, Senior Research Technical Program Manager, Research Incubations, MSR Accelerator<br><br><a class=\"msr-external-link glyph-append glyph-append-open-in-new-tab glyph-append-xsmall\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/steven-cowley-3b0629262\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Sir Steven Cowley<\/strong><span class=\"sr-only\"> (opens in new tab)<\/span><\/a>, Lab Director, Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>09:45<strong>\u2013<\/strong>10:30<\/td><td><strong>AI as an Accelerator for Fusion<\/strong> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/video\/ai-as-an-accelerator-for-fusion\/\">Video<\/a><br><br><strong>Advancing Fusion with ML\/AI<\/strong> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/video\/advancing-fusion-with-ml-ai\/\">Video<\/a><\/td><td><a class=\"msr-external-link glyph-append glyph-append-open-in-new-tab glyph-append-xsmall\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/richard-buttery-a36607105\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Richard Buttery<\/strong><span class=\"sr-only\"> (opens in new tab)<\/span><\/a>, Director and Vice President, DIII-D National Fusion Facility, General Atomics<br><br><a class=\"msr-external-link glyph-append glyph-append-open-in-new-tab glyph-append-xsmall\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/dave-humphreys-0b21b09\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Dave Humphreys<\/strong><span class=\"sr-only\"> (opens in new tab)<\/span><\/a>,\u202fDirector, Nuclear Fusion, General Atomics<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>10:30<strong>\u2013<\/strong>10:40<\/td><td><strong>Materials discovery for next generation energy plants <\/strong>| <a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/video\/accelerating-the-discovery-of-fusion-reactor-materials\/\">Video<\/a><\/td><td><a class=\"msr-external-link glyph-append glyph-append-open-in-new-tab glyph-append-xsmall\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/zulfi-alam-4076836\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Zulfi Alam<\/strong><span class=\"sr-only\"> (opens in new tab)<\/span><\/a>, Corporate Vice President, Microsoft Quantum<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>10:40<strong>\u2013<\/strong>10:50<\/td><td>Break<\/td><td><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>10:50<strong>\u2013<\/strong>11:20<\/td><td><strong>Research\u202fLightning Talks<\/strong> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/video\/1st-annual-fusion-summit-research-lightning-talks\/\">Video<\/a><\/td><td><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/people\/srajurkar\/\">Shruti Rajurkar<\/a><\/strong>, Senior Research Technical Program Manager, Research Incubations, MSR Accelerator<br><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/people\/tianxie\/\"><strong>Tian Xie<\/strong><\/a>, Principal Research Manager, MSR AI for Science<br><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/people\/mahorton\/\"><strong>Matthew Horton<\/strong><\/a>, Senior Research Software Develpment Engineer, MSR AI for Science<br><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/people\/rageorg\/\"><strong>Raluca Georgescu<\/strong><\/a>,\u202fSenior Research Scientist, MSR Redmond<br><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/people\/xiaog\/\"><strong>Xiaotian Gao<\/strong><\/a>, Senior Researcher, MSR Asia<br><br><a class=\"msr-external-link glyph-append glyph-append-open-in-new-tab glyph-append-xsmall\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/archie-manoharan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Archie Manoharan<\/strong><span class=\"sr-only\"> (opens in new tab)<\/span><\/a>, Director, Nuclear Technologies, Microsoft Cloud Operations and Infrastructure<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>11:20<strong>\u2013<\/strong>12:10<\/td><td><strong>Nuclear Fusion &#8211; Fireside Discussion<\/strong> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/video\/nuclear-fusion-fireside-discussion\/\">Video<\/a><\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/people\/adfamoti\/\"><strong>Ade Famoti<\/strong><\/a>, Senior Director, Research Incubations, MSR Accelerator (Moderator)<br><br><a class=\"msr-external-link glyph-append glyph-append-open-in-new-tab glyph-append-xsmall\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/steven-cowley-3b0629262\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span class=\"sr-only\"> (opens in new tab)<\/span><\/a><a class=\"msr-external-link glyph-append glyph-append-open-in-new-tab glyph-append-xsmall\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/steven-cowley-3b0629262\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Sir Steven Cowley<\/strong><span class=\"sr-only\"> (opens in new tab)<\/span><\/a>, Lab Director, Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL)<br><br><a class=\"msr-external-link glyph-append glyph-append-open-in-new-tab glyph-append-xsmall\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/richard-buttery-a36607105\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Richard Buttery<\/strong><span class=\"sr-only\"> (opens in new tab)<\/span><\/a>, Director and Vice President, DIII-D National Fusion Facility, General Atomics<br><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/people\/cmbishop\/\"><strong>Chris Bishop<\/strong><\/a>, Lab Director and Technical Fellow, MSR AI for Science<br><br><a class=\"msr-external-link glyph-append glyph-append-open-in-new-tab glyph-append-xsmall\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/archie-manoharan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Archie Manoharan<\/strong><span class=\"sr-only\"> (opens in new tab)<\/span><\/a>, Director, Nuclear Technologies, Cloud Operations and Infrastructure, Microsoft<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>12:10<strong>\u2013<\/strong>12:15<\/td><td><strong>Closing remarks<\/strong><\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/people\/kenjitak\/\"><strong>Kenji Takeda<\/strong><\/a>, Director, Research Incubations, MSR Accelerator<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\" id=\"meet-the-nuclear-fusion-summit-organizers\">Meet the Nuclear Fusion Summit organizers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/people\/srajurkar\/\">Shruti Rajurkar<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/people\/kenjitak\/\">Kenji Takeda<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/people\/adfamoti\/\">Ade Famoti<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/people\/rageorg\/\">Raluca Georgescu<\/a>, <a class=\"msr-external-link glyph-append glyph-append-open-in-new-tab glyph-append-xsmall\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/neeltjeberger\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Neeltje Berger<span class=\"sr-only\"> (opens in new tab)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<li class=\"my-0 msr-cards__card msr-cards__card--flat col\">\n\t<div class=\"card bg-transparent h-100 p-0 border-0\">\n\n\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"card-body pt-3\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"card__description card__citation small\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/li>\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Fusion energy represents one of humanity\u2019s boldest scientific frontiers\u2014a quest for virtually limitless, clean energy. On March 12, 2025, Microsoft Research hosted its inaugural Fusion Summit, a milestone event that brought together visionary leaders, pioneering scientists, and influential voices from both within and beyond Microsoft. This landmark gathering marked a powerful step forward in accelerating [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":1138018,"template":"","meta":{"msr-url-field":"","msr-podcast-episode":"","msrModifiedDate":"","msrModifiedDateEnabled":false,"ep_exclude_from_search":false,"_classifai_error":"","msr_startdate":"2025-03-12","msr_enddate":"2025-03-12","msr_location":"Microsoft Research Redmond","msr_expirationdate":"","msr_event_recording_link":"","msr_event_link":"","msr_event_link_redirect":false,"msr_event_time":"9:00 AM - 12:15 PM","msr_hide_region":false,"msr_private_event":false,"msr_hide_image_in_river":null,"footnotes":""},"research-area":[13556],"msr-region":[256048],"msr-event-type":[197944],"msr-video-type":[],"msr-locale":[268875],"msr-program-audience":[],"msr-post-option":[269148,269142],"msr-impact-theme":[266208],"class_list":["post-1137427","msr-event","type-msr-event","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","msr-research-area-artificial-intelligence","msr-region-global","msr-event-type-hosted-by-microsoft","msr-locale-en_us","msr-post-option-approved-for-river","msr-post-option-include-in-river"],"msr_about":"<!-- wp:msr\/event-details {\"title\":\"1st Annual Fusion Summit\",\"image\":{\"id\":1138018,\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/GettyImages-2149037448-1.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Graphic of a flashing ball with black background to represent fusion\"}} \/-->\n\n<!-- wp:msr\/content-tabs -->\n<!-- wp:msr\/content-tab -->\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":1138292,\"width\":\"787px\",\"height\":\"auto\",\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"media\",\"align\":\"right\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/FusionSummitCollage_1400x788.jpg\"><img src=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/FusionSummitCollage_1400x788.jpg\" alt=\"photos of speakers at 1st Annual Fusion Summit\" class=\"wp-image-1138292\" style=\"width:787px;height:auto\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"placeholder\":\"Add Event Overview content\u2026\"} -->\n<p>Fusion energy represents one of humanity\u2019s boldest scientific frontiers\u2014a quest for virtually limitless, clean energy. On March 12, 2025, Microsoft Research hosted its inaugural Fusion Summit, a milestone event that brought together visionary leaders, pioneering scientists, and influential voices from both within and beyond Microsoft. This landmark gathering marked a powerful step forward in accelerating innovation and collaboration in the global fusion energy movement.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI) are now transforming this quest, enabling breakthroughs in plasma control, materials discovery, reactor optimization, and predictive maintenance. This research meetup explored the convergence of AI and nuclear fusion, showcasing how machine learning, digital twins, and real-time data analysis are revolutionizing fusion research and accelerating progress toward commercialization.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>This summit was designed to foster connections and opportunities for individuals from various disciplines interested in nuclear fusion or related research. We explored the challenges of bringing fusion energy to the grid and the pivotal role of AI and computing in this field. The primary objective of this summit was to share knowledge, inspire attendees, and provide education through insightful panel discussions and lectures from esteemed speakers and leading experts.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The summit focused on the following key topics:&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Scientific, engineering, and policy challenges of bringing nuclear fusion from proof of concept to grid&nbsp;<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Plasma controls, reactor design optimization, materials for fusion and plasma modeling<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>The role of AI and high-performance computing in advancing fusion<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item --><\/ul>\n<!-- \/wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:spacer {\"height\":\"50px\"} -->\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:spacer -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textAlign\":\"center\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\" id=\"distinguished-fusion-industry-speakers-and-panelists\">Distinguished fusion industry speakers and panelists<\/h2>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:spacer {\"height\":\"25px\"} -->\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:spacer -->\n\n<!-- wp:columns -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns\"><!-- wp:column -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\"><!-- wp:image {\"lightbox\":{\"enabled\":false},\"id\":1138026,\"width\":\"200px\",\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"custom\",\"align\":\"center\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img src=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Sir-Steven-Cowley.jpg\" alt=\"Sir Steven Cowley\" class=\"wp-image-1138026\" style=\"width:200px\"\/><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:spacer {\"height\":\"15px\"} -->\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:spacer -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textAlign\":\"center\",\"level\":3,\"className\":\"h5\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center h5\" id=\"sir-steven-cowley\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/steven-cowley-3b0629262\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sir Steven Cowley<\/a><\/h3>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"center\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Lab Director<br>Princeton Plasma Physics Lab<br>Princeton University<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:column -->\n\n<!-- wp:column -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\"><!-- wp:image {\"lightbox\":{\"enabled\":false},\"id\":1138025,\"width\":\"200px\",\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"custom\",\"align\":\"center\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img src=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Richard-Buttery.png\" alt=\"Richard Buttery\" class=\"wp-image-1138025\" style=\"width:200px\"\/><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:spacer {\"height\":\"15px\"} -->\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:spacer -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textAlign\":\"center\",\"level\":3,\"className\":\"h5\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center h5\" id=\"richard-buttery\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/richard-buttery-a36607105\/\">Richard Buttery<\/a><\/h3>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"center\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Director and Vice President<br>DIII-D National Fusion Facility<br>General Atomics<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:column -->\n\n<!-- wp:column -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\"><!-- wp:image {\"lightbox\":{\"enabled\":false},\"id\":1138024,\"width\":\"200px\",\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"custom\",\"align\":\"center\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img src=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/David-Humphreys.jpg\" alt=\"David Humphreys\" class=\"wp-image-1138024\" style=\"width:200px\"\/><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:spacer {\"height\":\"15px\"} -->\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:spacer -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textAlign\":\"center\",\"level\":3,\"className\":\"h5\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center h5\" id=\"david-humphreys\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/dave-humphreys-0b21b09\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">David Humphreys<\/a><\/h3>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"center\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Director<br>Magnetic Fusion Energy Operations<br>General Atomics<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:column --><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:columns -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textAlign\":\"center\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\" id=\"microsoft-speakers-and-panelists\">Microsoft speakers and panelists<\/h2>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:spacer {\"height\":\"25px\"} -->\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:spacer -->\n\n<!-- wp:columns -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns\"><!-- wp:column -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\"><!-- wp:image {\"lightbox\":{\"enabled\":false},\"id\":1138044,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"custom\",\"align\":\"center\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/zulfi-alam-4076836\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img src=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/zulfi-alam.jpg\" alt=\"Zulfi Alam\" class=\"wp-image-1138044\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:spacer {\"height\":\"15px\"} -->\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:spacer -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textAlign\":\"center\",\"level\":3,\"className\":\"h5\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center h5\" id=\"zulfi-alam\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/zulfi-alam-4076836\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Zulfi Alam<\/a><\/h3>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"center\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Corporate Vice President<br>Microsoft Quantum<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:column -->\n\n<!-- wp:column -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\"><!-- wp:image {\"lightbox\":{\"enabled\":false},\"id\":1138045,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"custom\",\"align\":\"center\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/archie-manoharan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img src=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/archie-manoharan.png\" alt=\"Archie Manoharan\" class=\"wp-image-1138045\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:spacer {\"height\":\"15px\"} -->\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:spacer -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textAlign\":\"center\",\"level\":3,\"className\":\"h5\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center h5\" id=\"archie-manoharan\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/archie-manoharan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Archie Manoharan<\/a><\/h3>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"center\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Director, Nuclear Technologies<br>Cloud Operations + Innovation<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:column -->\n\n<!-- wp:column -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\"><!-- wp:image {\"lightbox\":{\"enabled\":false},\"id\":892440,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"custom\",\"align\":\"center\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/people\/cmbishop\/\"><img src=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Chris-Bishop_circle.jpg\" alt=\"Christopher Bishop wearing glasses and looking at the camera\" class=\"wp-image-892440\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:spacer {\"height\":\"15px\"} -->\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:spacer -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textAlign\":\"center\",\"level\":3,\"className\":\"h5\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center h5\" id=\"chris-bishop\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/people\/cmbishop\/\">Chris Bishop<\/a><\/h3>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"center\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Lab Director &amp; Technical Fellow<br>MSR AI for Science<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:column -->\n\n<!-- wp:column -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\"><!-- wp:image {\"lightbox\":{\"enabled\":false},\"id\":1138424,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"custom\",\"align\":\"center\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/people\/adfamoti\/\"><img src=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Ade-Famoti.png\" alt=\"Ade Famoti\" class=\"wp-image-1138424\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:spacer {\"height\":\"15px\"} -->\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:spacer -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textAlign\":\"center\",\"level\":3,\"className\":\"h5\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center h5\" id=\"ade-famoti\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/people\/adfamoti\/\">Ade Famoti<\/a><\/h3>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"center\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Senior Director, Research Incubations<br>MSR Accelerator<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:column -->\n\n<!-- wp:column -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\"><!-- wp:image {\"lightbox\":{\"enabled\":false},\"id\":1138145,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"custom\",\"align\":\"center\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/people\/mahorton\/\"><img src=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/matthew-horton.png\" alt=\"Matthew Horton\" class=\"wp-image-1138145\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:spacer {\"height\":\"15px\"} -->\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:spacer -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textAlign\":\"center\",\"level\":3,\"className\":\"h5\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center h5\" id=\"matthew-horton\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/people\/mahorton\/\">Matthew Horton<\/a><\/h3>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"center\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Senior Research SDE<br>MSR AI for Science<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:column -->\n\n<!-- wp:column -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\"><!-- wp:image {\"lightbox\":{\"enabled\":false},\"id\":1138146,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"custom\",\"align\":\"center\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/people\/rageorg\/\"><img src=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/raluca-georgescu.webp\" alt=\"Raluca Georgescu\" class=\"wp-image-1138146\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:spacer {\"height\":\"15px\"} -->\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:spacer -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textAlign\":\"center\",\"level\":3,\"className\":\"h5\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center h5\" id=\"raluca-georgescu\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/people\/rageorg\/\">Raluca Georgescu<\/a><\/h3>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"center\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Senior Research Scientist<br>MSR Redmond<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:column --><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:columns -->\n\n<!-- wp:columns -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns\"><!-- wp:column -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\"><!-- wp:image {\"lightbox\":{\"enabled\":false},\"id\":1138153,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"custom\",\"align\":\"center\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img src=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Shruti.png\" alt=\"Shruti Rajurkar\" class=\"wp-image-1138153\"\/><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:spacer {\"height\":\"15px\"} -->\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:spacer -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textAlign\":\"center\",\"level\":3,\"className\":\"h5\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center h5\" id=\"zulfi-alam\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/people\/srajurkar\/\">Shruti Rajurkar<\/a><\/h3>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"center\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Senior Research Program Manager, Research IncubationsMSR Accelerator<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:column -->\n\n<!-- wp:column -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\"><!-- wp:image {\"lightbox\":{\"enabled\":false},\"id\":1138154,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"custom\",\"align\":\"center\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img src=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Tian.png\" alt=\"Tian Xie\" class=\"wp-image-1138154\"\/><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:spacer {\"height\":\"15px\"} -->\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:spacer -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textAlign\":\"center\",\"level\":3,\"className\":\"h5\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center h5\" id=\"archie-manoharan\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/people\/tianxie\/\">Tian Xie<\/a><\/h3>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"center\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Principal Research Manager<br>MSR AI for Science<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:column -->\n\n<!-- wp:column -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\"><!-- wp:image {\"lightbox\":{\"enabled\":false},\"id\":1138155,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"custom\",\"align\":\"center\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img src=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Xiatian.png\" alt=\"Xiaotian Gao\" class=\"wp-image-1138155\"\/><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:spacer {\"height\":\"15px\"} -->\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:spacer -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textAlign\":\"center\",\"level\":3,\"className\":\"h5\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center h5\" id=\"chris-bishop\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/people\/xiaog\/\">Xiaotian Gao<\/a><\/h3>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"center\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Senior Researcher<br>MSR Asia<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:column -->\n\n<!-- wp:column -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\"><!-- wp:image {\"lightbox\":{\"enabled\":false},\"id\":1138288,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"custom\",\"align\":\"center\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/people\/kenjitak\/\"><img src=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/KenjiSep2021Smile.jpg\" alt=\"Kenji Takeda\" class=\"wp-image-1138288\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:spacer {\"height\":\"15px\"} -->\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:spacer -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textAlign\":\"center\",\"level\":3,\"className\":\"h5\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center h5\" id=\"chris-bishop\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/people\/kenjitak\/\">Kenji Takeda<\/a><\/h3>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"center\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Director<br>Research Incubations<br>MSR Accelerator<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:column -->\n\n<!-- wp:column -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\"><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:column -->\n\n<!-- wp:column -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\"><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:column -->\n\n<!-- wp:column -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\"><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:column --><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:columns -->\n\n<!-- wp:table {\"hasFixedLayout\":false} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><th>Time<\/th><th>Session Title<\/th><th>Speaker(s)<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>09:00<strong>\u2013<\/strong>09:05<\/td><td><strong>Welcome, Opening Remarks, and Distinguished Keynote Lecture: <\/strong><br><strong>Accelerating the Development of Fusion with AI <\/strong>| <a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/video\/1st-annual-fusion-summit-welcome-and-opening-remarks\/\">Video<\/a><\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/people\/allorens\/\"><strong>Ashley Llorens<\/strong><\/a>,\u202fCorporate Vice President and Managing Director, MSR Accelerator<br><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/people\/kenjitak\/\"><strong>Kenji Takeda<\/strong><\/a>, Director, Research Incubations, MSR Accelerator<br><br><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/people\/srajurkar\/\">Shruti Rajurkar<\/a><\/strong>, Senior Research Technical Program Manager, Research Incubations, MSR Accelerator<br><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/steven-cowley-3b0629262\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Sir Steven Cowley<\/strong><\/a>, Lab Director, Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>09:45<strong>\u2013<\/strong>10:30<\/td><td><strong>AI as an Accelerator for Fusion<\/strong> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/video\/ai-as-an-accelerator-for-fusion\/\">Video<\/a><br><br><strong>Advancing Fusion with ML\/AI<\/strong> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/video\/advancing-fusion-with-ml-ai\/\">Video<\/a><\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/richard-buttery-a36607105\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Richard Buttery<\/strong><\/a>, Director and Vice President, DIII-D National Fusion Facility, General Atomics<br><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/dave-humphreys-0b21b09\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Dave Humphreys<\/strong><\/a>,\u202fDirector, Nuclear Fusion, General Atomics<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>10:30<strong>\u2013<\/strong>10:40<\/td><td><strong>Materials discovery for next generation energy plants <\/strong>| <a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/video\/accelerating-the-discovery-of-fusion-reactor-materials\/\">Video<\/a><\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/zulfi-alam-4076836\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Zulfi Alam<\/strong><\/a>, Corporate Vice President, Microsoft Quantum<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>10:40<strong>\u2013<\/strong>10:50<\/td><td>Break<\/td><td><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>10:50<strong>\u2013<\/strong>11:20<\/td><td><strong>Research\u202fLightning Talks<\/strong> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/video\/1st-annual-fusion-summit-research-lightning-talks\/\">Video<\/a><\/td><td><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/people\/srajurkar\/\">Shruti Rajurkar<\/a><\/strong>, Senior Research Technical Program Manager, Research Incubations, MSR Accelerator<br><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/people\/tianxie\/\"><strong>Tian Xie<\/strong><\/a>, Principal Research Manager, MSR AI for Science<br><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/people\/mahorton\/\"><strong>Matthew Horton<\/strong><\/a>, Senior Research Software Develpment Engineer, MSR AI for Science<br><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/people\/rageorg\/\"><strong>Raluca Georgescu<\/strong><\/a>,\u202fSenior Research Scientist, MSR Redmond<br><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/people\/xiaog\/\"><strong>Xiaotian Gao<\/strong><\/a>, Senior Researcher, MSR Asia<br><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/archie-manoharan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Archie Manoharan<\/strong><\/a>, Director, Nuclear Technologies, Microsoft Cloud Operations and Infrastructure<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>11:20<strong>\u2013<\/strong>12:10<\/td><td><strong>Nuclear Fusion - Fireside Discussion<\/strong> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/video\/nuclear-fusion-fireside-discussion\/\">Video<\/a><\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/people\/adfamoti\/\"><strong>Ade Famoti<\/strong><\/a>, Senior Director, Research Incubations, MSR Accelerator (Moderator)<br><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/steven-cowley-3b0629262\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/steven-cowley-3b0629262\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Sir Steven Cowley<\/strong><\/a>, Lab Director, Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL)<br><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/richard-buttery-a36607105\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Richard Buttery<\/strong><\/a>, Director and Vice President, DIII-D National Fusion Facility, General Atomics<br><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/people\/cmbishop\/\"><strong>Chris Bishop<\/strong><\/a>, Lab Director and Technical Fellow, MSR AI for Science<br><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/archie-manoharan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Archie Manoharan<\/strong><\/a>, Director, Nuclear Technologies, Cloud Operations and Infrastructure, Microsoft<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>12:10<strong>\u2013<\/strong>12:15<\/td><td><strong>Closing remarks<\/strong><\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/people\/kenjitak\/\"><strong>Kenji Takeda<\/strong><\/a>, Director, Research Incubations, MSR Accelerator<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:table -->\n\n<!-- wp:spacer {\"height\":\"50px\"} -->\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:spacer -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textAlign\":\"center\",\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\" id=\"meet-the-nuclear-fusion-summit-organizers\">Meet the Nuclear Fusion Summit organizers<\/h3>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"center\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/people\/srajurkar\/\">Shruti Rajurkar<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/people\/kenjitak\/\">Kenji Takeda<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/people\/adfamoti\/\">Ade Famoti<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/people\/rageorg\/\">Raluca Georgescu<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/neeltjeberger\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Neeltje Berger<\/a><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:spacer {\"height\":\"50px\"} -->\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:spacer -->\n<!-- \/wp:msr\/content-tab -->\n\n<!-- wp:msr\/content-tab {\"title\":\"News \\u0026amp; features\"} -->\n<!-- wp:msr\/cards {\"type\":\"flat\"} -->\n<!-- wp:msr\/cards-card {\"type\":\"flat\",\"selection\":\"manual\",\"title\":\"Microsoft Fusion Summit explores how AI can accelerate fusion research\",\"kicker\":\"Microsoft Research Blog\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/blog\/microsoft-fusion-summit-explores-how-ai-can-accelerate-fusion-research\/\",\"image\":{\"id\":1138569,\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Fusion-Summit-BlogHeroFeature-1400x788-1-300x169.jpg\"},\"description\":\"\\u003cp\\u003eThe first Microsoft Research Fusion Summit brought together global experts to explore how AI can help unlock the potential of fusion energy. Discover how collaborations with leading institutions can help speed progress toward clean, scalable energy.\\u003c\/p\\u003e\"} \/-->\n\n<!-- wp:msr\/cards-card {\"type\":\"flat\",\"selection\":\"manual\",\"title\":\"Microsoft and ITER to harness the power of AI\",\"kicker\":\"In the news | iter\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.iter.org\/node\/20687\/microsoft-and-iter-harness-power-ai\",\"image\":{\"id\":1138414,\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/microsoft-source-300x169.jpg\"},\"description\":\"\\u003cp\\u003eWhile ITER has been using Microsoft tools for years, the two organizations have now begun a formal collaboration that may yield benefits never thought possible.\\u003c\/p\\u003e\"} \/-->\n\n<!-- wp:msr\/cards-card {\"type\":\"flat\",\"selection\":\"manual\",\"title\":\"Nuclear fusion: Delivering on the promise of carbon-free power with the help of AI\",\"kicker\":\"In the news | Microsoft source EMEA\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/news.microsoft.com\/source\/emea\/features\/nuclear-fusion-delivering-on-the-promise-of-carbon-free-power-with-the-help-of-ai\/\",\"image\":{\"id\":1135298,\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/ITER_12-300x169.jpg\"},\"description\":\"\\u003cp\\u003eHere, 2,000 scientists, physicists and workers from more than 30 countries are building a power plant fueled by the same energy that makes the sun shine. 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Explore the journey from concept to creation driving these AI-powered technologies.\\u003c\/p\\u003e\"} \/-->\n<!-- \/wp:msr\/cards -->\n<!-- \/wp:msr\/content-tab -->\n<!-- \/wp:msr\/content-tabs -->","tab-content":[],"msr_startdate":"2025-03-12","msr_enddate":"2025-03-12","msr_event_time":"9:00 AM - 12:15 PM","msr_location":"Microsoft Research Redmond","msr_event_link":"","msr_event_recording_link":"","msr_startdate_formatted":"March 12, 2025","msr_register_text":"Watch now","msr_cta_link":"","msr_cta_text":"","msr_cta_bi_name":"","featured_image_thumbnail":"<img width=\"960\" height=\"540\" src=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/GettyImages-2149037448-1-960x540.jpg\" class=\"img-object-cover\" alt=\"Graphic of a flashing ball with black background to represent fusion\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/GettyImages-2149037448-1-960x540.jpg 960w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/GettyImages-2149037448-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/GettyImages-2149037448-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/GettyImages-2149037448-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/GettyImages-2149037448-1-1066x600.jpg 1066w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/GettyImages-2149037448-1-655x368.jpg 655w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/GettyImages-2149037448-1-240x135.jpg 240w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/GettyImages-2149037448-1-640x360.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/GettyImages-2149037448-1-1280x720.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/GettyImages-2149037448-1.jpg 1401w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/>","event_excerpt":"Fusion energy represents one of humanity\u2019s boldest scientific frontiers\u2014a quest for virtually limitless, clean energy. 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