{"id":1162522,"date":"2026-03-03T05:00:24","date_gmt":"2026-03-03T13:00:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/?post_type=msr-story&#038;p=1162522"},"modified":"2026-04-20T10:01:54","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T17:01:54","slug":"the-shape-of-things-to-come","status":"publish","type":"msr-story","link":"https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/story\/the-shape-of-things-to-come\/","title":{"rendered":"The Shape of Things to Come"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover is-light is-style-default\" style=\"min-height:600px;aspect-ratio:unset;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1280\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-1162982 size-full\" alt=\"Illustration of Doug Burger\" src=\"https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/TheShapeofThings_Webhero_Doug_2000x1200_AHf-scaled.jpg\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/TheShapeofThings_Webhero_Doug_2000x1200_AHf-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/TheShapeofThings_Webhero_Doug_2000x1200_AHf-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/TheShapeofThings_Webhero_Doug_2000x1200_AHf-1024x512.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/TheShapeofThings_Webhero_Doug_2000x1200_AHf-768x384.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/TheShapeofThings_Webhero_Doug_2000x1200_AHf-1536x768.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/TheShapeofThings_Webhero_Doug_2000x1200_AHf-2048x1024.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/TheShapeofThings_Webhero_Doug_2000x1200_AHf-240x120.jpg 240w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-black-background-color has-background-dim-0 has-background-dim\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-cover-is-layout-2cb6a229 wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-content-justification-left is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-408cd6c9 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-display has-dark-gray-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-12695eed7f5f827ac1ae127c36651e0f\" id=\"the-shape-of-things-to-come\">The Shape of <br>Things to Come<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading h4 has-dark-gray-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-96434592099ce4c093df7c45c27bb3df\" id=\"a-microsoft-research-podcast\">A Microsoft Research Podcast<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-dark-gray-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-0f67fa75efad414015e029026a9d871f\">Hosted by Doug Burger<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<article class=\"wp-block-group alignfull mt-0 is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div style=\"padding-bottom:0; padding-top:0\" class=\"wp-block-msr-immersive-section alignfull row has-background-gradient has-background-gradient-spectrum-4 wp-block-msr-immersive-section\">\n\t\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-msr-immersive-section__wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:5px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-style-dark-mode p-4 z-20 container theme-dark 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\" style=\"flex-basis:22%\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column headings-large is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:56%\">\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer is-style-default d-none d-md-block\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-default-h3\" id=\"intro\">Join Microsoft\u2019s Doug Burger and guests as they dig into the fundamental truths about AI and how it will reshape the future.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"yt-consent-placeholder\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Video playback requires cookie consent\" data-video-id=\"ZhQLae-Gd7Q\" data-poster=\"https:\/\/img.youtube.com\/vi\/ZhQLae-Gd7Q\/maxresdefault.jpg\"><iframe aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\" title=\"Trailer: The Shape of Things to Come\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/ZhQLae-Gd7Q?feature=oembed&rel=0&enablejsapi=1\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><div class=\"yt-consent-placeholder__overlay\"><button class=\"yt-consent-placeholder__play\"><svg width=\"42\" height=\"42\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><g fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><circle fill=\"#000\" opacity=\".556\" cx=\"21\" cy=\"21\" r=\"21\"\/><path stroke=\"#FFF\" d=\"M27.5 22l-12 8.5v-17z\"\/><\/g><\/svg><span class=\"yt-consent-placeholder__label\">Video playback requires cookie consent<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-16018d1d wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-outline is-style-outline--1\"><a data-bi-type=\"button\" class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/podcast\/trailer-the-shape-of-things-to-come\/\">Trailer: The Shape of Things to Come<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Technical advances are moving at such a rapid pace that it can be challenging to define the tomorrow we\u2019re working toward. In <em>The Shape of Things to Come<\/em>, Microsoft Research leader <a href=\"https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/people\/dburger\/\" type=\"person\" id=\"31582\">Doug Burger<\/a> and experts from across disciplines tease out the thorniest AI issues facing technologists, policymakers, business decision-makers, and other stakeholders today. The goal: to amplify the shared understanding needed to build a future in which the AI transition is a net positive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-style-spectrum is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cAI is going to reshape the future. I don\u2019t think there\u2019s any question about that now. How it evolves will depend on the research choices we make. It\u2019s important to understand what the emerging shapes are and how we should respond.\u201d<\/p>\n<cite><em>\u2013<\/em> Doug Burger, Technical Fellow and Corporate Vice President, Microsoft Research<em>&nbsp;<\/em><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"about-doug-burger\">About Doug Burger<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignleft size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"2560\" src=\"https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Episode-1-Doug-Nicolo-Subutai_TheShapeofThings_1400x1400-2-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Illustration of Doug Burger\" class=\"wp-image-1162894\" style=\"width:150px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Episode-1-Doug-Nicolo-Subutai_TheShapeofThings_1400x1400-2-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Episode-1-Doug-Nicolo-Subutai_TheShapeofThings_1400x1400-2-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Episode-1-Doug-Nicolo-Subutai_TheShapeofThings_1400x1400-2-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Episode-1-Doug-Nicolo-Subutai_TheShapeofThings_1400x1400-2-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Episode-1-Doug-Nicolo-Subutai_TheShapeofThings_1400x1400-2-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Episode-1-Doug-Nicolo-Subutai_TheShapeofThings_1400x1400-2-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Episode-1-Doug-Nicolo-Subutai_TheShapeofThings_1400x1400-2-2048x2048.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Episode-1-Doug-Nicolo-Subutai_TheShapeofThings_1400x1400-2-180x180.jpg 180w, https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Episode-1-Doug-Nicolo-Subutai_TheShapeofThings_1400x1400-2-360x360.jpg 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Doug Burger is a research leader in AI, computer architecture, and computer systems. Both a technical fellow and a corporate vice president at Microsoft, he oversees a global organization of over 1,000 researchers and engineers as managing director of Microsoft Research\u2019s worldwide research labs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"up-next\">Episodes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"episode-1-will-machines-ever-be-intelligent\">Episode 1 | Will machines ever be intelligent?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Subutai Ahmad, Nicol\u00f2 Fusi | March 23, 2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Are machines truly intelligent? AI researchers Subutai Ahmad and Nicol\u00f2 Fusi join Doug Burger to compare transformer-based AI with the human brain, exploring continual learning, efficiency, and whether today\u2019s models are on a path toward human intelligence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"yt-consent-placeholder\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Video playback requires cookie consent\" data-video-id=\"6gdlcbhtqSk\" data-poster=\"https:\/\/img.youtube.com\/vi\/6gdlcbhtqSk\/maxresdefault.jpg\"><iframe aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\" title=\"Will machines ever be intelligent?\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/6gdlcbhtqSk?feature=oembed&rel=0&enablejsapi=1\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><div class=\"yt-consent-placeholder__overlay\"><button class=\"yt-consent-placeholder__play\"><svg width=\"42\" height=\"42\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><g fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><circle fill=\"#000\" opacity=\".556\" cx=\"21\" cy=\"21\" r=\"21\"\/><path stroke=\"#FFF\" d=\"M27.5 22l-12 8.5v-17z\"\/><\/g><\/svg><span class=\"yt-consent-placeholder__label\">Video playback requires cookie consent<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-16018d1d wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-outline is-style-outline--2\"><a data-bi-type=\"button\" class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/podcast\/will-machines-ever-be-intelligent\/\">Explore Episode 1<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left\" id=\"guests\">Guests<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignleft size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"2560\" src=\"https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Episode-1-Doug-Nicolo-Subutai_TheShapeofThings_1400x1400-3-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Illustration of Subutai Ahmad\u00a0\" class=\"wp-image-1162891\" style=\"width:150px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Episode-1-Doug-Nicolo-Subutai_TheShapeofThings_1400x1400-3-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Episode-1-Doug-Nicolo-Subutai_TheShapeofThings_1400x1400-3-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Episode-1-Doug-Nicolo-Subutai_TheShapeofThings_1400x1400-3-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Episode-1-Doug-Nicolo-Subutai_TheShapeofThings_1400x1400-3-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Episode-1-Doug-Nicolo-Subutai_TheShapeofThings_1400x1400-3-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Episode-1-Doug-Nicolo-Subutai_TheShapeofThings_1400x1400-3-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Episode-1-Doug-Nicolo-Subutai_TheShapeofThings_1400x1400-3-2048x2048.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Episode-1-Doug-Nicolo-Subutai_TheShapeofThings_1400x1400-3-180x180.jpg 180w, https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Episode-1-Doug-Nicolo-Subutai_TheShapeofThings_1400x1400-3-360x360.jpg 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><a class=\"msr-external-link glyph-append glyph-append-open-in-new-tab glyph-append-xsmall\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/subutai\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/subutai\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Subutai Ahmad<\/strong><span class=\"sr-only\"> (opens in new tab)<\/span><\/a>&nbsp;<br>Subutai&nbsp;Ahmad leads neuroscience-inspired AI research&nbsp;at&nbsp;Numenta&nbsp;and previously helped scale&nbsp;YesVideo&nbsp;from startup to industry leader.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:0px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignleft size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"2560\" src=\"https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Episode-1-Doug-Nicolo-Subutai_TheShapeofThings_1400x1400-1-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Illustration of Nicol\u00f2 Fusi\u00a0\" class=\"wp-image-1162889\" style=\"width:150px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Episode-1-Doug-Nicolo-Subutai_TheShapeofThings_1400x1400-1-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Episode-1-Doug-Nicolo-Subutai_TheShapeofThings_1400x1400-1-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Episode-1-Doug-Nicolo-Subutai_TheShapeofThings_1400x1400-1-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Episode-1-Doug-Nicolo-Subutai_TheShapeofThings_1400x1400-1-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Episode-1-Doug-Nicolo-Subutai_TheShapeofThings_1400x1400-1-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Episode-1-Doug-Nicolo-Subutai_TheShapeofThings_1400x1400-1-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Episode-1-Doug-Nicolo-Subutai_TheShapeofThings_1400x1400-1-2048x2048.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Episode-1-Doug-Nicolo-Subutai_TheShapeofThings_1400x1400-1-180x180.jpg 180w, https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Episode-1-Doug-Nicolo-Subutai_TheShapeofThings_1400x1400-1-360x360.jpg 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/people\/fusi\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Nicol\u00f2 Fusi<\/strong><\/a>&nbsp;<br>Nicol\u00f2 Fusi is VP and distinguished scientist at Microsoft Research, leading generative AI efforts for scientific discovery at the intersection of AI and life sciences.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"episode-1-will-machines-ever-be-intelligent\">Episode 2 | Can we AI our way to a more sustainable world?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Amy Luers, Ishai Menache | April 20, 2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Doug Burger, sustainability expert Amy Luers, and optimization researcher Ishai Menache examine the global emissions implications of datacenter operations, efficiency gains, and AI&#8217;s potential across electrification, materials, and food systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"yt-consent-placeholder\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Video playback requires cookie consent\" data-video-id=\"pwB5ArIj-vw\" data-poster=\"https:\/\/img.youtube.com\/vi\/pwB5ArIj-vw\/maxresdefault.jpg\"><iframe aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\" title=\"Can we AI our way to a more sustainable world?\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/pwB5ArIj-vw?feature=oembed&rel=0&enablejsapi=1\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><div class=\"yt-consent-placeholder__overlay\"><button class=\"yt-consent-placeholder__play\"><svg width=\"42\" height=\"42\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><g fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><circle fill=\"#000\" opacity=\".556\" cx=\"21\" cy=\"21\" r=\"21\"\/><path stroke=\"#FFF\" d=\"M27.5 22l-12 8.5v-17z\"\/><\/g><\/svg><span class=\"yt-consent-placeholder__label\">Video playback requires cookie consent<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-16018d1d wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-outline is-style-outline--3\"><a data-bi-type=\"button\" class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/podcast\/can-we-ai-our-way-to-a-more-sustainable-world\/\">Explore Episode 2<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left\" id=\"guests\">Guests<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignleft size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1400\" height=\"1400\" src=\"https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Episode2-Amy-Illustration_TheShapeofThings_1400x1400.jpg\" alt=\"illustrated headshot of Amy Luers\" class=\"wp-image-1166453\" style=\"width:150px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Episode2-Amy-Illustration_TheShapeofThings_1400x1400.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Episode2-Amy-Illustration_TheShapeofThings_1400x1400-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Episode2-Amy-Illustration_TheShapeofThings_1400x1400-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Episode2-Amy-Illustration_TheShapeofThings_1400x1400-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Episode2-Amy-Illustration_TheShapeofThings_1400x1400-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Episode2-Amy-Illustration_TheShapeofThings_1400x1400-180x180.jpg 180w, https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Episode2-Amy-Illustration_TheShapeofThings_1400x1400-360x360.jpg 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/people\/amyluers\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/people\/amyluers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Amy Luers<\/a>&nbsp;<\/strong><br>Amy Luers directs AI and sustainability science and innovation at Microsoft, informing the company&#8217;s sustainability strategies, investments, and policies.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:0px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignleft size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1400\" height=\"1400\" src=\"https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Episode2-Ishai-Illustration_TheShapeofThings_1400x1400.jpg\" alt=\"illustrated headshot of Ishai Menache\" class=\"wp-image-1166452\" style=\"width:150px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Episode2-Ishai-Illustration_TheShapeofThings_1400x1400.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Episode2-Ishai-Illustration_TheShapeofThings_1400x1400-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Episode2-Ishai-Illustration_TheShapeofThings_1400x1400-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Episode2-Ishai-Illustration_TheShapeofThings_1400x1400-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Episode2-Ishai-Illustration_TheShapeofThings_1400x1400-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Episode2-Ishai-Illustration_TheShapeofThings_1400x1400-180x180.jpg 180w, https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Episode2-Ishai-Illustration_TheShapeofThings_1400x1400-360x360.jpg 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/people\/ishai\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Ishai Menache<\/strong><\/a><br>Ishai Menache leads machine learning, optimization, and generative AI research at Microsoft Research, tackling large-scale cloud supply chain challenges.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:22%\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group theme-dark is-style-default container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div style=\"padding-bottom:32px; padding-top:32px\" class=\"wp-block-msr-immersive-section alignfull row wp-block-msr-immersive-section\">\n\t\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-msr-immersive-section__wrapper col-lg-11 col-xl-9 px-0 m-auto\">\n\t\t\t<p><strong><em>Series contributors:<\/em><\/strong><em>&nbsp;Neeltje Berger, Amanda Black, Tetiana&nbsp;Bukhinska, David Celis Garcia, Ralph Chiarella,&nbsp;Jeremy Crawford, Kristina Dodge, Chris Duryee, Ben Ericson, Kate Forster, Alyssa Hughes,&nbsp;Julia Kirby,&nbsp;Jake Knapp, Matt McGinley, Jeremy Mashburn, Wil Morrill, Melinda Morrison, Joe Plummer, Brenda Potts, Ana Elize Sherard,&nbsp;Sarah Sobolewski, David Sullivan, Stephen Sullivan, Amber Tingle, Craig Tuschhoff, Larry West, Shauna Whooley, Asa-Mari Zephirin, and Katie Zoller<\/em>.<\/p>\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:60px\" 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\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-default h2\" id=\"lightning-talks\">Other resources<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\">\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-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/focus-area\/ai-and-microsoft-research\/overview\/?msockid=35739e94ab6c69d41b738b93aa076831\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">AI and Microsoft Research<\/a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/lab\/ai-frontiers\/?msockid=35739e94ab6c69d41b738b93aa076831\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Microsoft Research AI Frontiers<\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/lab\/microsoft-research-ai-for-science\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Microsoft Research AI for Science<\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/research-area\/artificial-intelligence\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">AI Research Archive<\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/about-microsoft-research\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">About Microsoft Research<\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/podcast\/\">Microsoft Research Podcast<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/blog\">Microsoft Research Blog<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/event\/microsoft-research-forum\/\" type=\"msr-event\" id=\"1140163\">Microsoft Research Forum series<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:60px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/article>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Technical advances are moving at such a rapid pace that it can be challenging to define the tomorrow we\u2019re 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 technologists, policymakers, business decision-makers, and other stakeholders today. The goal: [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":1163063,"template":"","meta":{"msr-url-field":"","msr-podcast-episode":"","msrModifiedDate":"","msrModifiedDateEnabled":false,"ep_exclude_from_search":false,"_classifai_error":"","footnotes":""},"research-area":[13556],"msr-locale":[268875],"msr-post-option":[],"class_list":["post-1162522","msr-story","type-msr-story","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","msr-research-area-artificial-intelligence","msr-locale-en_us"],"related-researchers":[{"type":"user_nicename","display_name":"Doug Burger","user_id":31582,"people_section":"People","alias":"dburger"}],"related-publications":[],"related-downloads":[],"related-videos":[],"related-projects":[],"related-groups":[],"related-events":[],"related-posts":[],"msr_impact_theme":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/msr-story\/1162522","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/msr-story"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/msr-story"}],"version-history":[{"count":76,"href":"https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/msr-story\/1162522\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1169120,"href":"https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/msr-story\/1162522\/revisions\/1169120"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1163063"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1162522"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"msr-research-area","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/research-area?post=1162522"},{"taxonomy":"msr-locale","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/msr-locale?post=1162522"},{"taxonomy":"msr-post-option","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/msr-post-option?post=1162522"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}