Inside Microsoft's Global Research Lab With Dr. Peter Lee (479)
6/20/202634 min
This episode I'm joined by Dr Peter Lee, Head of Research at Microsoft, to explore the ideas shaping the future of technology. Leading 14 research laboratories globally and overseeing a research and development program that receives more than 10% of Microsoft's overall budget, Dr Lee shares his journey to the top of one of the world's largest innovation engines.
From AI tools transforming early cancer detection and predicting protein structures in hours instead of years, to discovering new battery materials and improving weather forecasting through deep learning, the conversation reveals how research is moving from possibility to real-world impact. We also explore Microsoft's investment in open-ended innovation — research not driven by immediate products, but by imagining entirely new experiences and technologies.
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First 90 secondsKarl Kruszelnicki· Host0:00
I'm Dr. Karl, coming to you from the lands of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. I acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first Australians and traditional custodians of the lands where we live, learn, and work. [upbeat music] G'day, Dr. Karl, Showbiz of Science, and today I'm very lucky to be able to talk with Dr. Peter Lee, the president of Microsoft Research for the entire universe. Is that correct, Dr. Peter?
Peter Lee· Guest0:27
[laughs] That is right. Uh, it's, it's really a wonderful job, and, um, uh, actually, the luck is all mine. Uh, thank you for having me.
Karl Kruszelnicki· Host0:35
Just a first boring question. What percentage is spent on research into the future? Like, in the case of Australia as a nation, we spend half a percent of our GDP on research, which is way below recommended for countries. Uh, I have no idea what it is for companies. What would it be for something like Microsoft?
Peter Lee· Guest0:56
Well, it's, uh, actually a little bit of a complicated question to answer because, um, a big tech company like Microsoft is actually not driven by the marketing department, uh, like a normal company. Uh, Microsoft is driven by the product engineering organization.
Karl Kruszelnicki· Host1:16
Wow, like Boeing used to be.
Peter Lee· Guest1:17
That's right. And so what that means is that there's a fuzzy line between product development and research. And so one way you can count it is that the research and development, uh,