Microsoft appoints former Siri chief Bill

Microsoft has ramped up its focus on artificial intelligence, alongside other major technology companies. To make the technology robust Microsoft has hired Bill Stasior, Apple’s former Siri lead as its corporate vice president of technology. Stasior left his position as head of Siri at Apple earlier this year.

The move underlines Microsoft’s focus under CEO Satya Nadella on emerging technologies like artificial intelligence. Stasior's new role is to help align technology strategies across the company. Scott will reports to Satya Nadella, CEO, Microsoft and is part of the Microsoft senior leadership team.

Last year Microsoft went further in another reorganization that placed some AI teams in the group working on Microsoft’s Azure public cloud. Stasior will be the head of an artificial intelligence group inside the company. Whether Stasior will be put in charge of a new division, or take over an existing one isn't clear. Since then Microsoft has made AI acquisitions that have brought in additional talent, including Bonsai, Lobe and Semantic Machines.

A Microsoft spokesperson confirmed Stasior’s hire. “Starting in August, he will work to help align technology strategies across the company.

As per his Linkedin profile, from 2012 to 2019, he headed the 11,000-strong team of developers, scientists, product managers and designers working on Siri. Prior to his time at Apple, Stasior was one of the top executives at Amazon. He previously worked at AltaVista and Oracle.