Microsoft Shifts Focus: Shuts Down Airsim industrial Metaverse project to concentrate on AI initiatives
As per latest reports, Microsoft is planning to do away with Airsim, its industrial Metaverse project and prioritize AI innovation.
Highlights
- The tech giant is planning to shut down its Airsim Metaverse project
- The company plans to invest in a wide range of AI projects while continuing to bolster Azure, its cloud computing platform
In a strategic move, Microsoft has decided to discontinue its ambitious industrial Metaverse project, Airsim, aimed at revolutionising the collaboration between humans and machines through AI-based drone simulations. The tech giant recently informed the project team of their decision, leading to a round of layoffs. The Airsim project, initiated in 2017, was an integral part of Microsoft's industrial Metaverse vision, incorporating cutting-edge AI technologies.
Change in strategy: From Metaverse to AI initiatives
Microsoft's industrial Metaverse concept, outlined in a blog post in February 2023, aimed to transform industrial operations by facilitating proactive and efficient problem-solving through Web3 technology. However, the company has now shifted its focus from the Metaverse to AI initiatives. This move follows the discontinuation of another industrial Metaverse program earlier this year, indicating a shift in Microsoft's strategy towards short-term projects with higher revenue potential.
Microsoft's ongoing commitment to AI & Azure
Despite the closure of Airsim and other Metaverse-related initiatives, Microsoft remains dedicated to AI advancements. The company plans to invest in a wide range of AI projects while continuing to bolster Azure, its cloud computing platform. This strategic decision aligns with Microsoft's partnership with OpenAI, emphasising their commitment to the evolution of AI technologies.
Microsoft's Chief Technology Officer, Kevin Scott, who oversees such initiatives, has redirected his focus from the industrial Metaverse to AI projects. This shift highlights the company's adaptability and willingness to prioritise areas with significant growth potential, ensuring Microsoft's continued prominence in the tech industry.
This strategic realignment underscores Microsoft's dynamic approach, emphasising agility and responsiveness to market demands, ensuring they stay at the forefront of technological innovation.
