Microsoft AI chief Mustafa Suleyman says labs must not build conscious superintelligence
In an essay posted on Sunday he says current systems are not conscious, and that if signs of consciousness appeared in training, development should pause until they were removed.
Why it matters
Suleyman runs Microsoft's consumer AI work, so his view carries weight inside one of the largest labs and its partnership with OpenAI. He argues that today's systems are not conscious and proposes a concrete rule: pause training if signs of consciousness appear, until they are removed. Critics may ask how such signs would be detected. Watch whether Microsoft turns the essay into policy and whether other labs respond.
Key facts
- Essay posted on Sunday
- Says current systems are not conscious
- Signs of consciousness in training should pause development
- Pause until the signs are removed