Microsoft acquires machine learning and AI startup Bonsai

Seeking to strengthen its artificial intelligence arsenal, Microsoft has announced an agreement to acquire San Francisco-based AI startup Bonsai. Bonsai already had Microsoft links, having been set up back in 2014 by two former Microsoft engineers, Mark Hammond and Keen Browne. The company specializes in "deep reinforcement learning" which can be used to teach autonomous systems within simulations, and the company sees this tying in with Azure. See also: Gamers waiting for virtual reality on Xbox are out of luck Satya Nadella speaks out against 'cruel and abusive' border policy and explains Microsoft's involvement with ICE Microsoft issues statement distancing… [Continue Reading]