Microsoft AI CEO Suleyman: AI models have no consciousness, and developers should not give them any
Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman said in a long post on X that current AI models do not possess consciousness, and developers should ensure this remains the case. He stated that if developing conscious AI became possible, doing so would be reckless, and that if any spark of consciousness emerged during training, he would call on everyone to pause AI development until those traits were removed. He also mentioned that Anthropic launched a research program in April last year to investigate and prepare for "model welfare" issues.
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Microsoft AI chief: AI models have no consciousness, and developers cannot make them conscious Phoenix Tech Download the app for exclusive early access November 2, 2026, 06:57:54 From Beijing
Suleyman
Phoenix Tech News, Beijing time November 2, according to Business Insider, some AI researchers are exploring a question: is it possible that AI will develop consciousness in the future? However, Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman takes a clear stance against this.
In a long post on X on Sunday, Suleyman said that current AI models do not possess consciousness, and developers should ensure that this remains the case.
"Based on all the information I have, if developing conscious AI became possible, then doing so would be reckless, and we should not develop such AI. If signs of consciousness begin to emerge during training, I would call on everyone to pause AI development until we can design out these characteristics."
Suleyman's X post
"We AI developers have absolutely no right to bring a new conscious species into this world, even if some people might want to do so with AI welfare as their highest priority," he said. "The other 8 billion conscious human beings on Earth did not agree to participate in this experiment, and protecting their moral rights, safety, and welfare is the obligation we must fulfill first."
The discussion over whether AI models might one day gain consciousness is intensifying in the tech world. Last April, Anthropic launched a research program aimed at investigating and preparing for "model welfare" issues. In a blog post, the startup raised a question: should developers pay attention to the potential consciousness of AI models and the experiences they might have? (Author/Xiao Yu)
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