Skip to content
TechCrunch·

🔬Hoffman Steps Down From Microsoft Board After Inflection Deal

Microsoft's LinkedIn Founder Exits As AI Investments Heat Up

TL;DR

LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman is leaving Microsoft’s board, marking a shift in the tech giant's AI strategy post-Inflection deal. His exit highlights growing conflicts of interest as he focuses on Manus, an AI-driven drug discovery startup.

Reid Hoffman, LinkedIn's co-founder and former Microsoft board member, has stepped down from his position at Microsoft. This move comes after a $650 million investment in Inflection AI, where Hoffman hired Mustafa Suleyman through the deal. The departure signals a shift in focus for Hoffman towards Manus, an AI-driven drug discovery company he co-founded and chairs, which aims to combat various cancers using advanced AI techniques. With Microsoft's increasing involvement in AI startups and Hoffman’s new role at Manus, this marks a significant realignment of interests.

Hoffman Steps Down From Microsoft Board After Inflection Deal — TechCrunch

Key Points

1

Reid Hoffman leaves Microsoft’s board after a $650 million deal with Inflection AI in September 2023.

2

Hoffman hired Mustafa Suleyman from Inflection as part of the deal, bringing key talent to Microsoft.

3

Manus, an AI-driven drug discovery company founded by Hoffman and General Catalyst, raised over $50M last year.

4

Dr. Siddhartha Mukherjee leads Manus with a goal to use 'Move 37' AI to combat various cancers through advanced chemistry.

5

Hoffman's exit from Microsoft’s board underscores the growing importance of AI in drug discovery and development.

Why It Matters

Reid Hoffman stepping down from Microsoft's board after investing in Inflection AI signals a shift towards his role at Manus, an AI-driven drug discovery startup. This move impacts Microsoft's strategy in AI acquisitions and talent recruitment while highlighting the growing importance of AI in pharmaceutical research.

reid-hoffmanmicrosoftinflection-aimanusai-in-pharma

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does this matter?

Reid Hoffman stepping down from Microsoft's board after investing in Inflection AI signals a shift towards his role at Manus, an AI-driven drug discovery startup. This move impacts Microsoft's strategy in AI acquisitions and talent recruitment while highlighting the growing importance of AI in pharmaceutical research.

What happened?

LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman is leaving Microsoft’s board, marking a shift in the tech giant's AI strategy post-Inflection deal. His exit highlights growing conflicts of interest as he focuses on Manus, an AI-driven drug discovery startup.

Comments

Subscribe to join the conversation...

Be the first to comment

Enjoyed this article?

Get it daily. 7am. Free. Reads in 5 minutes.

Join 1,947 builders reading daily.