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Microsoft AI Chief Mustafa Suleyman Rejects Machine Consciousness, Urges Developers to Drop Such Projects

Microsoft is drawing firm product lines that present its systems as tools rather than beings.

Overview

  • In remarks at AfroTech and in a CNBC interview, Suleyman said only biological beings can be conscious and urged developers to stop pursuing projects that assume conscious AI.
  • He argued today’s models merely simulate experience, invoking biological naturalism and the absence of a human pain network as reasons AI cannot feel or suffer.
  • He said the science of detecting consciousness remains immature and clarified he is not calling to ban others’ research, citing different organizational missions.
  • He affirmed Microsoft will not build erotica chatbots, contrasting the company’s stance with OpenAI’s adult erotic chat option and xAI’s risqué companion offerings.
  • He spotlighted new Copilot capabilities—including Mico, group chats, and a “real talk” conversation style—and framed them as assistants that explicitly recognize they are AI.