The Machine Learning Group at Microsoft Research Asia is focused on research and innovation in algorithms and technologies to discover knowledge from large-scale data. With the continuing increase of information on the Web and user behavior online, it is critical for service providers to learn and make sense of what information users access and what they do with that information to allow developers to better meet user needs. Our research includes statistical learning, knowledge discovery, pattern recognition, text mining, optimization, game theory, and information retrieval with large-scale and diverse data, such as textual data, graphical data, Web log data and software usage data. Online advertising and other digital marketing areas serve as a test bed to apply innovative new technologies.

User Intelligence
Analysis of online user interests, habits and behavior patterns is an essential part of user intelligence. We are studying technologies to provide optimum methods to classify and cluster Web users and help service providers to more clearly understand users and provide targeted services. Besides user behavior on the Web, user opinions are also valuable information. User opinions exist in blogs, online forums, product reviews, and so on.

Semantic Intelligence
Keywords play a critical role in Web services such as search and advertising. We are researching a series of keyword technologies that include keyword extraction from Web pages, keyword suggestions based on various criteria, keyword classifications with pre-defined taxonomy, keyword organization into semantic clusters, and keyword trend prediction. Based on keyword technologies, we are also getting close to the core of semantic research centered on the relevance of documents to user queries.

Business Intelligence
Analyzing service provider businesses and developing effective strategies on service improvements are keys to business success. Based on instrumentation of user activities on service provider systems, we can provide a fundamental platform to analyze user activities for better decisions.