Microsoft has initiated a substantial shift by relocating some of its eminent artificial intelligence (AI) experts from China to Canada, a move that threatens to deplete China’s pivotal tech talent reservoir. The Beijing-based Microsoft Research Asia (MSRA), renowned for fostering tech talent, has started securing visas to transfer leading AI researchers from China’s capital to its Vancouver institute, as per individuals privy to the plans.
Microsoft’s Strategic Relocation
An estimated 20 to 40 staff members could be impacted by this change. An insider at Microsoft indicated that fewer Chinese staff will migrate to Canada this year, coinciding with the tech giant’s creation of a new global lab in Vancouver. Researchers have dubbed this move as the “Vancouver Plan,” viewing it as a response to surging political tensions between the United States and China. It’s also seen as a preventive measure against the potential loss of top talent to domestic tech companies eager to develop AI innovations similar to OpenAI’s ChatGPT.
Denying the Vancouver Plan
After the initial release of this news, Microsoft countered the existence of the so-called Vancouver Plan, stating that the mentioned number of affected employees was incorrect. The company further clarified its intent to establish a new lab in Vancouver that aligns with MSRA. The purpose is to augment engagement with Vancouver-based engineering teams. The lab will incorporate personnel from various Microsoft Research labs globally, including China.
Talent Poaching Concerns
Remarkably, several MSRA researchers have recently turned down job offers from Chinese internet firms, choosing instead to apply for visas to relocate to Canada. The threat of talent being poached by Chinese corporations and potential harassment by authorities has sparked discussions in internal meetings amongst the researchers. Some researchers believe that relocating to a third country, beyond the US and China, could help revive the vibrant tech discourse of earlier times.
