On November 6, Mustafa Suleyman, the head of Microsoft’s AI division, announced in a blog post that he would lead a newly established “Humanitarian Superintelligence” team. This team is set to target an even more ambitious hypothetical milestone than Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). Previously, Microsoft had reached an agreement with OpenAI not to participate in AGI development.

In his blog post released on Thursday, Suleyman outlined the team’s primary objectives. He stated that the team would drive the research and development of personal AI assistants and strive for breakthroughs in the fields of healthcare and clean energy. Suleyman provided a clear distinction between AGI and superintelligence, saying, “If Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) is generally regarded as the critical point where AI can reach human-level performance across all tasks, then superintelligence represents a stage where it can far surpass human capabilities.”

The announcement comes at a time when Microsoft and OpenAI have just finalized a renegotiated agreement. The new deal solidifies Microsoft’s equity stake in the startup and modifies several terms of their relationship. One of the most significant changes is the lifting of the previous ban on Microsoft developing advanced AI tools. This restriction had previously limited the Redmond, Washington-based company to developing smaller, less powerful models, while the models used by ChatGPT were more robust and sophisticated.

Thursday’s announcement effectively formalizes a project that Microsoft has been preparing since March of the previous year. At that time, Microsoft hired Suleyman and acquired the intellectual property rights of Inflection AI, a startup he founded. Through restructuring Microsoft’s AI teams and recruiting new talent, Suleyman embarked on the journey of building a new series of Microsoft AI models. However, so far, these models have remained significantly smaller in scale compared to the most powerful offerings from OpenAI or Alphabet’s Google.

The formation of the “Humanitarian Superintelligence” team marks a strategic shift in Microsoft’s AI strategy. By focusing on superintelligence, Microsoft aims to push the boundaries of what AI can achieve, moving beyond the current capabilities of AGI. Suleyman envisions a future where AI not only matches human intelligence but also exceeds it in ways that can bring about transformative changes in society.

One of the key areas of focus for the new team is the development of personal AI assistants. These assistants are envisioned to be more than just voice-activated helpers; they are expected to understand context, learn from user interactions, and provide personalized recommendations across a wide range of domains, from healthcare to finance. In the healthcare sector, for instance, superintelligent AI could assist doctors in diagnosing complex conditions, analyzing medical data, and even suggesting treatment plans tailored to individual patients.

In the realm of clean energy, the potential applications of superintelligence are equally promising. AI could optimize energy grids, predict demand patterns, and develop more efficient renewable energy sources. By leveraging superintelligent AI, Microsoft hopes to contribute to global efforts to combat climate change and transition to a more sustainable future.

The revised agreement with OpenAI also opens up new possibilities for collaboration and innovation. With the ban on developing advanced AI tools lifted, Microsoft can now explore more ambitious projects and compete more directly with other tech giants in the AI space. This could lead to a wave of new AI-driven products and services that have the potential to reshape industries and improve people’s lives.

However, the pursuit of superintelligence also raises important ethical and societal questions. As AI capabilities continue to advance, concerns about job displacement, privacy, and security become more pressing. Microsoft and Suleyman are aware of these challenges and have emphasized the importance of developing AI in a responsible and ethical manner. The “Humanitarian” aspect of the new team’s name reflects a commitment to using AI for the betterment of humanity and addressing global challenges.

In conclusion, Microsoft’s announcement of the “Humanitarian Superintelligence” team represents a bold step into the future of AI. With Mustafa Suleyman at the helm, the team is poised to explore new frontiers in AI research and development, with a focus on healthcare, clean energy, and personal AI assistants. As Microsoft and OpenAI continue to evolve their partnership, the tech world will be watching closely to see how these developments unfold and what impact they will have on the future of artificial intelligence.