Microsoft is redefining its approach to artificial intelligence, promising that humans will “stay at the top of the food chain.” In a detailed blog post on Thursday, Microsoft AI head Mustafa Suleyman announced the formation of a new team focused on developing what he calls “humanist superintelligence,” an AI designed to serve humanity exclusively.
Suleyman explained that this future AI system will not be “an unbounded and unlimited entity with high degrees of autonomy.” Instead, it will be built with “careful calibration and clear boundaries.”
Since joining Microsoft last year, Suleyman has led the company’s expansion into generative AI, including its first in-house models for text, voice, and image generation. Despite his assurances that Microsoft AI will “reject narratives about a race to AGI,” competition with OpenAI appears to be heating up.
Under a new agreement, Microsoft can now “independently pursue AGI alone or in partnership with third parties.” This clause gives Microsoft full legal rights to use OpenAI’s intellectual property to build its own AGI systems, a move that could intensify the race for artificial general intelligence.
Suleyman’s concept of “humanist superintelligence” focuses on three primary applications. It will serve as an AI companion to help users “learn, act, be productive, and feel supported.” It will also assist the healthcare sector and drive “new scientific breakthroughs” in areas like clean energy.
“At Microsoft AI, we believe humans matter more than AI,” Suleyman said.
He emphasized that humanist superintelligence is designed to keep people “at the center of the picture.” His goal is a controllable, reliable AI system, one that serves humanity rather than challenges it.