Microsoft has closed its IoT & AI Insider Lab in Shanghai’s Zhangjiang hi-tech zone, marking the latest sign of the US tech giant’s retreat from China amid rising geopolitical tensions.
The Shanghai lab, meant to help with domestic development of the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, closed earlier this year, according to people who work in the Zhangjiang AI Island area. The lab was dark and unoccupied during a recent visit by the South China Morning Post, with the logo removed and office equipment cleared out.
The area houses the offices of several Big Tech firms, including German chipmaker Infineon Technologies and Chinese internet search giant Baidu. Other offices include US-sanctioned facial recognition firm CloudWalk Technology, data service provider Winner Technology and aeroplane manufacturer Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China. Nearby workers said the office closed in either January or February.
Microsoft did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Monday.
Opened in May 2019, Microsoft’s IoT & AI Insider Lab was touted as a flagship collaboration between the global tech giant and Zhangjiang, the innovation hub of Shanghai’s Pudong district, where numerous domestic and international semiconductor and AI companies have set up shop. The lab covered roughly 2,800 square meters.
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