Microsoft has unveiled its latest scientific discovery, the Microsoft Discovery AI platform, at the Build 2025 conference. This innovative AI platform aims to revolutionize research and development processes by incorporating “agentic AI” into all stages of scientific discovery. Designed for scientists and engineers, Microsoft Discovery utilizes a graph-based knowledge engine and customizable AI agents to expedite hypothesis generation, simulation, and iterative experimentation.
Unlike traditional AI tools that focus on individual tasks, Microsoft Discovery employs a team-based model where specialized agents collaborate in real-time across intricate scientific workflows. These domain-specific agents, such as those for molecular simulation or literature review, work under the orchestration of a central Copilot assistant. This setup enables researchers to manage the entire R&D cycle without requiring extensive computational expertise.
The platform’s graph-based knowledge engine sets it apart by mapping intricate relationships between proprietary and external scientific data. This contextual reasoning aids researchers in navigating conflicting theories, experimental results, and assumptions transparently. Each step in the process is meticulously tracked to ensure traceability and reliability in all AI-generated outputs.
Microsoft Discovery prioritizes enterprise-grade governance, compliance, and security controls to promote responsible innovation. Researchers can also enhance the platform by integrating their own models, datasets, and tools alongside Microsoft’s offerings and partner solutions.
Despite its recent formal announcement, Microsoft has already been testing Discovery, yielding positive results. For instance, the platform identified a new coolant prototype for data centers in just 200 hours, a process that traditionally took years. This successful synthesis and validation within four months exemplify the potential of AI-driven simulation and prediction in material science. Moreover, Discovery has already uncovered a breakthrough that aids in replacing environmentally harmful chemicals in industrial applications.
Several organizations, including GSK plc and Estée Lauder Inc., have expressed interest in utilizing Microsoft Discovery for various applications. GSK plc plans to leverage the platform for parallel prediction and testing in drug development, while Estée Lauder Inc. intends to integrate Discovery into its innovation pipeline for personalized skincare and cosmetics.
Microsoft also intends to integrate Discovery with Nvidia ALCHEMI and BioNeMo NIM microservices to expedite breakthroughs in materials science and life sciences. This collaboration will provide researchers with cutting-edge tools for candidate identification, property mapping, and AI model development for drug discovery, running on Nvidia-accelerated Azure AI infrastructure to deliver faster, more scalable scientific outcomes.
Aseem Datar, Microsoft’s Vice President of Product Innovation, emphasized the platform’s goal of empowering scientists and engineers to transform the discovery process with speed, scale, and accuracy. Microsoft Discovery aims to enable researchers to collaborate with specialized AI agents and a graph-based knowledge engine to drive scientific outcomes efficiently.
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