Microsoft has eliminated its AI “ethics and society” division during its recent layoffs. While the company still maintains an office of responsible AI, the ethics and society staff was responsible for addressing the impact of AI technology on society and communicating with product teams accordingly. The decision to dissolve the department indicates that Microsoft is prioritizing profitability and bringing AI-driven products to market over ensuring their positive influence on society. The team had been understaffed for months and most of its members were reassigned before the division was ultimately dissolved. Despite these changes, Microsoft claims that building responsible AI tools remains a priority, and they appreciate the previous work done by the Ethics & Society department.
| Signal | Change | 10y horizon | Driving force |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft dissolves AI “ethics and society” division | Shift in focus from ethics to profitability | Less emphasis on societal impact of AI | Profitability and AI-driven product development |
| Short-staffed team reassigned and department dissolved | Pressure to quickly implement OpenAI models | Lack of resources for addressing AI ethics | Speedy implementation of AI-driven products |
| Microsoft claims commitment to responsible AI | Assertion of commitment to responsible AI development | Increased investment in responsible AI practices | Accountability and adherence to AI principles |