Barcelona is selected by Microsoft to install its new R & D AI hub.

Microsoft has announced a new R & D hub in Barcelona specialized in Artificial Intelligence Technologies. The new center will be one of the eight research centers of Microsoft's WebXT division in the world. Microsoft's news is one more attempt to confirm that Barcelona is a leading city in the field of innovation and new technologies. 

Indeed, the existence of a cohesioned ecosystem in AI and enacting governmental strategies on AI both at Catalan and Spanish levels contributed to make Barcelona the winner for hosting this center among other cities.

A solid and mature scientific community on AI well organized around ACIA, and several research centers on AI like IDEAI, IIIA-CSIC, CVC, IRI, BSC among others, the existence of instruments like CIDAI or OEIAC and the imminent AIRA as well as the startups tissue and the beauty of the city are relevant factors to provide the best conditions for a successful AI hub in Barcelona.

The announcement coincided with the beginning of the first official degree in Artificial Intelligence in Catalonia offered by the Barcelona School of Informatics at the Universitat Politècnica (UPC) with many lecturers and professors from IDEAI.

Karina Gibert, head of IDEAI -UPC said to the Diari de Barcelona that "this degree will generate a more specialized talent   very demanded" and that "IDEAI has the capacity to collaborate with the multinational from three perspectives: "the contribution of talent through education and training programs, joint research and technology transfer."

More details at:

https://www.diaridebarcelona.cat/w/microsoft-installara-hub-intelligencia-artificial-barcelona