Microsoft Creates New AI Research Group as Qi Lu Leaves Company

(Bloomberg) -- Microsoft Corp. executive Qi Lu, who ran both the Office and search groups, is leaving the company due to health issues, the software giant said Thursday.

Lu was also a key architect of Chief Executive Officer Satya Nadella’s strategy for artificial intelligence and bots and helped develop a plan and learn more about AI.

Microsoft said in a statement that it has created a new AI research group, to be led by 20-year company veteran Harry Shum, whose career has spanned leadership roles across research and Bing engineering.

Rajesh Jha was promoted to executive vice president and will take over the Office product group, Microsoft said.

Once Lu recovers, he will serve as adviser to Nadella and co-founder Bill Gates.