Microsoft Pursues Superintelligence, Aims to Harness AI for Humanity's Benefit

Microsoft, freed from its reliance on OpenAI, is now pursuing its own research in superintelligence, a move that has significant implications for the future of artificial intelligence. Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman, who joined the company in March 2024, has been working to break free from the constraints of the landmark deal with OpenAI, which limited the company's ability to pursue its own research in advanced general intelligence (AGI). The agreement, which was reached in 2023, also capped the size of the models Microsoft could train, restricting the company from building systems beyond a certain computing threshold, measured in FLOPS (floating-point operations per second). According to sources, Suleyman has been working to develop new technologies that will enable Microsoft to pursue its own research in superintelligence, a field that involves creating AI systems that are significantly more intelligent and capable than current systems. In an interview, Suleyman emphasized the importance of ensuring that these new technologies serve humanity, saying, "We need to be careful about how we develop these technologies, and make sure they are aligned with human values." The development of superintelligence has significant implications for society, and experts are divided on the potential benefits and risks. Some argue that superintelligence could bring about tremendous benefits, such as solving complex problems like climate change and disease, while others warn that it could also pose significant risks, such as job displacement and loss of human agency. Microsoft's move to pursue its own research in superintelligence comes as the company is expanding its consumer AI unit, which is home to products like Copilot. The company has also been investing heavily in its Azure cloud platform, which will be used to support its AI research. In a statement, Microsoft officials said that the company is committed to responsible AI development and is working to ensure that its research is aligned with human values. Suleyman added that the company is also working to develop new technologies that will enable it to detect and prevent potential biases in its AI systems. The development of superintelligence is a rapidly evolving field, and experts are watching Microsoft's progress closely. As Suleyman noted, "We are at the beginning of a new era in AI, and we need to be careful about how we develop these technologies." Microsoft's move to pursue its own research in superintelligence is a significant development in the field of artificial intelligence, and it remains to be seen how the company's efforts will unfold. One thing is certain, however: the future of AI is likely to be shaped by the choices that companies like Microsoft make in the coming years.