Few companies can boast of a lineage as consequential as Nokia Bell Labs. “Researchers at Nokia Bell Labs have been behind or involved in nearly every critical technological milestone for the last century,” the company notes on its website. “We built the first lasers and transistors, discovered the origins of the universe and connected the world using communications satellites. We also invented implementable technologies like the solar battery and the first hearing aids and made great theoretical leaps forward with the likes of Information Theory.”

Today, the company continues that work in communications technology, now advancing into artificial intelligence and other cutting-edge research. Those efforts take place at the company’s global headquarters in Murray Hill and facilities in seven other countries.

The company’s connections to New Jersey also remain strong, as evidenced by its significant presence at the state’s first AI Summit in April. “Given that we’re at the beginning of the journey, there’s really no reason why New Jersey cannot lead in this journey,” Thierry Klein, president of the Bell Labs Solution Research unit at Nokia Bell Labs, told the Summit participants. “There’s a perception that maybe other states or companies in other states are the leaders – and we should give up. I do believe that there are a lot of assets in New Jersey – from the top talent we have in the different academic institutions, the technology sector, the will from the state government, as well as all of the industrial sectors. There’s no reason why we cannot lead in New Jersey – and we should all collaborate.”

Nokia Bell Labs also reaffirmed its commitment to the state late last year when it announced that it would relocate its Murray Hill operations to the planned HELIX research and development in New Brunswick.