Analyse Asia with Bernard Leong

How Microsoft Research Balances Exploration and Impact Globally with Doug Burger

21 snips
Aug 3, 2025
Doug Burger, a Technical Fellow at Microsoft Research, shares insights from his journey in elite research. He emphasizes the importance of trust and empowerment within research teams, enabling groundbreaking advancements in AI and quantum computing. The conversation covers Microsoft's expansion into Southeast Asia, collaborative innovations in healthcare, and the evolution of coding towards natural language programming. Burger also discusses the transformative impact of AI while addressing ethical considerations and the necessity for regional collaboration in driving societal benefits.
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ADVICE

Empowerment Drives Elite Research

  • Empower and trust top experts to innovate without micromanagement.
  • Allow long-term, curiosity-driven projects to foster breakthrough research.
INSIGHT

Global Labs Enable Inclusive AI

  • Geographic diversity in AI research labs improves models that work globally.
  • Local talent and culture in Singapore drive AI innovation tailored to the region.
ANECDOTE

Building Software Without Code

  • Doug built complex software with his son using AI tools without writing code.
  • AI is shifting programming from reading lines of code to higher level interfaces like natural language.
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