AI For Good Lab
News & features
In the news | LATAM Microsoft Stories
Project Guacamaya uses daily satellite images, Amazon-specific AI models in battle against deforestation
The Amazon rainforest is the world’s most complex biological environment, with millions of species of plants, birds and wildlife calling the vast area home, many of which have yet to be studied by scientists. From 2022 to 2023, the Amazon…
In the news | LinkedIn Article
Juan Lavista Ferres at the United Nations General Assembly’s Summit of the Future
At Microsoft, we’ve seen how digital technology can drive progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals. But technology must be more than just powerful—it must be trustworthy, safe, and inclusive. It’s only when technology empowers everyone, especially the most vulnerable, that…
In the news | The National
Microsoft to open its first Middle East ‘AI for Good Lab’ in Abu Dhabi
Plans to create a centre, founded and funded by Microsoft and G42, that will “identify, develop and advance best practices and industry standards for the responsible use of AI in the Middle East and the Global South” were unveiled. Microsoft,…
In the news | Live Science
‘Their capacity to emulate human language and thought is immensely powerful’: Far from ending the world, AI systems might actually save it
From disaster recovery to conservation and healthcare, plenty of AI projects will greatly benefit humanity, Microsoft experts Juan M. Lavista Ferres and William B. Weeks say. Over the last few years, artificial intelligence (AI) has been firmly in the world’s spotlight, and…
In the news | GZERO
AI’s evolving role in society
In a world where humanity put a man on the moon before adding wheels to luggage, the rapid advancements in AI seem almost paradoxical. Microsoft’s chief data scientist Juan Lavista, in a recent Global Stage conversation with Tony Maciulis, highlighted this contrast…
In the news | Microsoft Stories
Protecting the Amazon from deforestation with Microsoft AI
Project Guacamaya is fighting deforestation by monitoring the Amazon rainforest with Microsoft AI. Researchers are studying daily satellite images, observing animal behavior with hidden cameras, and listening to forest sounds with tiny microphones. AI processes this data faster than ever…
In the news | The AI in Business Podcast
Channeling Enterprise AI ‘for Good’ in Responsible Data and Workflows – Juan Lavista Ferres
Today’s guest is Juan Lavista Ferres, Microsoft Chief Data Scientist and Corporate Vice President. Juan joins us on today’s program to talk about his new book AI for Good, which showcases his philosophy in driving AI capabilities toward altruistic and…
In the news | Science
To reduce wildlife deaths caused by fences, scientists are turning to AI
As many as 1 million kilometers of fence may crisscross the western United States, enough to stretch to the Moon and back. Erected over the past century, largely to contain livestock, the barbed and woven wire fences also hinder wildlife such as…
In the news | GeekWire
Real or Not? New Microsoft quiz targets deepfake AI images and we still can’t really tell the difference
A deepfake, as Microsoft defines it, is an AI generated image, video, or audio recording, typically used to spread false information. With advancements in AI technology, they’re getting harder and harder to detect, and that creates some concerning possibilities, especially as it relates to election integrity…