Microsoft has published a 37-page document it calls a “humanist AI code of conduct,” released amid growing concerns about the pace of AI model progress. The code states that “people matter more than AI” and asserts that AI models are not conscious and “should not be designed to imitate consciousness.” Microsoft also rejects the pursuit of legal personhood for AI systems.
The release comes after Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei called for a coordinated slowdown of AI development. Researchers have warned that AI model progress could outpace the ability to safely deploy increasingly complex systems and to verify and control the actions of AI agents.
Why it matters
The document signals how a major AI company is framing its position on questions of AI consciousness, personhood, and safety at a time when other industry figures are urging caution.
Who should care
Policymakers, AI researchers, and organizations tracking corporate positions on AI safety and governance may find the code of conduct relevant.