14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has decided to cancel the physical Build 2020 event due to the coronavirus outbreak, as the software giant becomes the latest tech company that decides to move to online-only conferences in an attempt to eliminate the risk of infection.
Build 2020 was scheduled to take place in Seattle between May 19-21, but Microsoft is now moving the entire event to a digital version, with all sessions to be streamed online – Build is typically streamed online anyway, but due to the coronavirus, canceling the physical presence at the show is a decision that reduces the likelihood of more people contracting the infection.
“The safety of our community is a top priority. In light of the health safety recommendations for Washington State, we will deliver our annual Microsoft Build event for developers as a digital event, in lieu of an in-person event. We look forward to bringing together our ecosystem of developers in this new virtual format to learn, connect and code together. Stay tuned for more details to come,” Microsoft says.
Other events could be canceled as well
The official Build 2020 event website still displays a notification indicating that Microsoft continues to monitor the coronavirus outbreak to make the appropriate decision for other events in the coming months.
“In light of the global health concerns due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), Microsoft is monitoring public health guidance in relation to in-person events. We are looking carefully at our event calendar as well as our presence at industry events in the coming months. We are not taking decisions lightly, but the health and well-being of our customers, partners, guests, suppliers, and employees remain our ultimate priority,” the company says.
Build is Microsoft’s biggest annual event when the company gets in touch with developers, partners, and users to showcase the latest improvements coming to the likes of Windows, Office, and others. Build typically witnesses demos of new technologies and features coming to all these products, with the Windows keynote in particular providing everyone with a glimpse into the new features coming to the OS.