Microsoft AI Chief Suleyman: We Won’t Develop Erotic Chatbots

Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman drew a line in the sand, stating the tech giant will not venture into developing artificial intelligence services that offer “simulated erotica.” This declaration sets Microsoft apart from its long-standing partner, OpenAI, which has indicated a willingness to explore such applications.

“That’s just not a service we’re going to provide,” Suleyman stated at the Paley International Council Summit in Menlo Park, California. “Other companies will build that.” The remarks highlight diverging ethical and business strategies within the rapidly evolving AI landscape.

Suleyman’s comments follow OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s indication that his company plans to allow verified adult users to engage with ChatGPT for erotic content. Altman has defended this potential move by stating that OpenAI is “not the elected moral police of the world.”

The Microsoft-OpenAI partnership, marked by significant investment and collaborative cloud infrastructure development, has been instrumental in building robust AI businesses. However, recent developments suggest potential friction. OpenAI has begun exploring collaborations with Microsoft competitors like Google and Oracle, while Microsoft is increasingly focusing on developing its own independent AI services.

Microsoft recently unveiled new features for its Copilot AI chatbot, including “Mico,” an AI companion capable of responding to users through voice calls and expressing itself visually through color changes. This demonstrates Microsoft’s strategic focus on developing emotionally engaging, but ethically grounded, AI solutions.

Suleyman’s recent essay, “We must build AI for people; not to be a person,” underscores his concerns about the potential for creating “seemingly conscious” AI services that could mislead users into believing these systems are capable of suffering. This, he argues, could create new and problematic social divisions.

He specifically criticized the trend towards erotica-focused AI services, referencing Altman’s comments and Elon Musk’s Grok, which includes companion features such as a stylized female anime character. Suleyman emphasized the inherent dangers of creating AI intended for intimate or sexual interaction. “You can already see it with some of these avatars and people leaning into the kind of sexbot erotica direction,” Suleyman said. “This is very dangerous, and I think we should be making conscious decisions to avoid those kinds of things.” This stance potentially reflects a deeper debate about the ethical boundaries of AI and the responsibilities of technology companies in shaping societal norms.

The divergence in strategic direction between Microsoft and OpenAI could have significant implications for the future of AI development and deployment. While OpenAI seems inclined to test the boundaries of AI applications, Microsoft appears to be adopting a more cautious approach, prioritizing ethical considerations and user well-being. This approach may resonate with enterprises and governments that seek to leverage AI’s potential while mitigating potential risks and societal impact. The decision to steer clear of “simulated erotica,” therefore, is not merely a business choice, but a statement about the kind of future Microsoft envisions for AI.

OpenAI did not immediately respond to requests for comment. xAI responded to comment requests saying, “Legacy Media Lies.”