Microsoft AI warns uncontrolled AI could lead to silicon species rivalling humans

Microsoft AI warns uncontrolled AI could lead to silicon species rivalling humans

The head of Microsoft AI has warned that without adequate safeguards, the development of AI could lead to the emergence of a new “silicon species” wich competes with humans.

Mustafa Suleyman said rival firm Anthropic is treating AI like it is human, an approach he called “misguided” which could create technology that humanity cannot control.

Speaking to the BBC’s Today programme, the chief executive said it was “right” for people to be concerned about AI, but there were “very practical things that we can do” to control it.

The comments are the latest in a series of stark warnings from the AI industry about the technology’s possible dangers.

Speaking to the Today programme on Thursday, Suleyman warned against firms continuing to create AI systems capable of setting their own objectives, earning money and owning assets.

That would mean “essentially seeding a new silicon species”, he said, which could “no doubt compete with us for resources, no matter how much it cares about humanity and loves us”.