Artificial Intelligence1 min read

Microsoft AI CEO clarifies: I stand by my view that AI does not have rights or feelings

By · Via Times of India · Published by Everything Blog

In short

Addressing reactions to his recent essay on model welfare, Suleyman stressed that today's systems completely lack consciousness or the capacity to suffer. He argued that developers have no mandate to introduce conscious digital beings without explicit societal consent. If any signs of consciousness ever emerge during training, he insisted that companies must immediately halt development and design out those properties. Furthermore, any credible proof of machine consciousness must be disclosed to the public right away.

Key points

  • Deliberately manufacturing conscious artificial superintelligence represents an irrespons…: Deliberately manufacturing conscious artificial superintelligence represents an irresponsible move that lacks necessary societal consent.
  • Any legitimate evidence of machine consciousness must be disclosed immediately so society…: Any legitimate evidence of machine consciousness must be disclosed immediately so society can determine the response.
  • Artificial intelligence laboratories should collaborate and share safety information to e…: Artificial intelligence laboratories should collaborate and share safety information to ensure systems remain safe, aligned, and strictly unfeeling.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman has reaffirmed his position that today’s artificial intelligence systems are not conscious and do not deserve rights or welfare protections, while stating that he would reconsider that view if credible evidence of AI consciousness were ever discovered. In a detailed post shared on social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) titled "Don't build conscious superintelligence", Suleyman sought to clarify reactions to his recent essay on "model welfare", saying many people had misinterpreted his statement that AI systems are not conscious and do not feel, experience or suffer. He stressed that he deliberately used the present tense, arguing that AI is not conscious today and "that is how they must remain."

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He added that, based on the best evidence currently available, he has seen no indication that AI systems are conscious or deserve welfare considerations. However, he said he would update his position if convincing evidence emerged.

A pledge to disclose and to stop

Suleyman said he has seen no evidence that AIs are conscious or deserve welfare. If such…

Artificial Intelligence