Microsoft lays out ambitious AI vision, free from OpenAl

Tech giant forms team to build top AI systems and distance itself from longtime partner

- Sebastian Herrera

Though close partners, Microsoft and OpenAI now compete in a number of ways. OpenAI is building data centers and striking partnerships with Microsoft rivals.

Microsoft’s top artificialintelligence executive laid out anew vision for its Al ambitions, reorganizing company employees and setting its sights on building models with superintelligence, or capabilities that exceed human performance.

In a blog post and interview, Microsoft AI Chief Executive Mustafa Suleyman offered a window into Microsoft's plans to develop Al self-sufficiency from OpenAl, which is embedded into many of the products it offers to its customers.

‘Arecent deal between the companies made it possible for Microsoft to establish its new MAI Superintelligence Team, which will put human interests and guardrails first, Suleyman said. He echoed the warnings he has made in the past about the risks the transformative technology poses to humanity.

While he praised OpenAl and the work the companies have done together, he offered a criticism of treating AI systems as though they have humanlike feelings or rights. AI chatbots shouldn’t trick people into thinking they are having conversations with sentient beings, he said.

Suleyman noted Microsoft's focus on powerful software tools that can help people accomplish their work, improve medical diagnoses and play a role in scientific breakthroughs that will offer

the world plentiful clean, renewable energy.