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Julio 19, 2005

Google abre centro de I+D en China

Hoy Google anuncia que abre un centro de I+D en China antes de octubre del 2005.

Un movimiento lógico dentro de su estrategia de crecimiento y conociendo el potencial del mercado oriental.

Ahora, lo que resulta muy interesante es el fichaje de Dr. Kai-Fu
Lee como manager del centro
. Este profesional formado en la universidad de Columbia en EEUU proviene de Microsoft, a la que se unió desde Silicon Graphics en 1998 y donde su último cargo ha sido como "vice president of the User Interface Technologies Division" (no traduzco por que me parecen geniales esos títulos).

Se trata de un experto en reconocimiento de voz, inteligencia artificial y gráficos 3-D. Es de destacar el papel jugado en el lanzamiento de una de las tecnologías claves de Microsoft en reconocimiento de voz: Microsoft Speech Server 2004 además de haber trabajado en Apple en el desarrollo inicial de PlainTalk.

¿Para qué quiere Google un experto en reconocimiento de voz?

Hagan sus apuestas pero antes de 6 meses imagino algo relacionado con reconocimiento de voz en el Google Labs.

Texto de la nota de prensa:

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. - July 19, 2005 - Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG),
developer of the award-winning search engine, today announced that it
will open a product research and development center in China, and has
hired respected computer scientist and industry pioneer, Dr. Kai-Fu
Lee, to lead the operation and serve as President of the company's
growing Chinese operations.

The Google China R&D center will open in the third quarter of 2005.
China, with its thriving economy and excellent universities, is home to many outstanding computer scientists and engineers. By establishing an R&D center in China, Google is making a strong commitment to attracting and developing Chinese talent, as well as partnering with local universities and institutes. The selection of Dr. Kai-Fu Lee to lead this important operation underscores Google's commitment to building a successful Chinese product research and development center and to expanding its international business operations.

"The opening of an R&D center in China will strengthen Google's efforts in delivering the best search experience to our users and partners worldwide," said Alan Eustace, vice president of Engineering at Google.
"Under the leadership of Dr. Lee, with his proven track record of
innovation and his passion for technology and research, the Google
China R&D center will enable us to develop more innovative products and technologies for millions of users in China and around the world."

"It has always been my goal to make advanced technologies accessible
and useful to every user, as well as to be part of the vibrant growth
and innovation in China today," said Dr. Kai-Fu Lee. "Joining Google
uniquely enables me to pursue both of my passions and I look forward to returning to China to begin this exciting endeavor."

Dr. Lee, who is widely known for his pioneering work in the areas of
speech recognition and artificial intelligence, joins Google from
Microsoft, where he most recently held the position of corporate vice
president, after founding Microsoft Research China in the late 1990s.
Prior to joining Microsoft, Dr. Lee was a vice president and general
manager at Silicon Graphics Inc. (SGI), responsible for Internet and
multimedia software. Lee also spent six years at Apple, serving as vice president of the company's interactive media group, and before that was an assistant professor at Carnegie Mellon University.

"Google has emerged as a very successful leader in technology. Dr.
Kai-Fu Lee possesses the perfect combination of technical brilliance,
leadership excellence, and business savvy, and he cares deeply about
the students and education in China," said Gu Binglin, President of
Tsinghua University. "Dr. Lee is the ideal candidate to do great things for Google and for China."

The Google China R&D center is the latest addition to Google's growing number of global engineering offices, which include Tokyo, Japan; Zurich, Switzerland; Bangalore, India; New York, New York; Santa Monica, Calif.; Kirkland, Wash; and Mountain View, Calif. As with all of its R&D centers, Google will continue to look for the best talent in China and across Asia to join the Google team.

Antonio Mas | Julio 19, 2005 08:17 PM

Comentarios

Yo creo que, aparte de que Kai-Fu Lee sea un experto en reconocimiento de voz, inteligencia artificial y gráficos 3D, por lo que realmente es valioso es porque tiene mucha experiencia en dirigir un centro de I+D de prestigio en China (el de Microsoft).

Supongo que sabrá con quién relacionarse en el país, dónde buscar a los mejores profesionales, cómo gestionar los recursos y cómo dirigir proyectos de investigación.

Por: Dirson | Julio 20, 2005 08:12 AM

Todo eso está muy bien, pero además no hay que olvidar que viene de uno de tus 2 grandes competidores.
No creeis que pueda revelar ciertos datos que puedan ser muy interesantes para Google?

Por: Ruben | Julio 20, 2005 05:03 PM