In a blog post back in 2019, Microsoft shared its ambitious vision of taking the concept of artificial intelligence (AI), which used to be more like a theory, and turning it into something very practical and real. In that post, Microsoft outlined its plans, and interestingly enough, those plans seemed to foresee what the future of AI would look like.
“Just a few years ago, artificial intelligence was largely relegated to universities and research labs, a charming computer science concept with little use in mainstream business. Today, AI is being integrated into everything from your refrigerator to your favorite workout app,” the company shared.
Absolutely, Microsoft (MSFT) has made it clear in their 2019 blog post that they are not only focused on advancing AI technology but also on ensuring that it is developed and used responsibly. Their core mission revolves around building AI-based products with a strong emphasis on responsibility. This means they are dedicated to avoiding potential pitfalls and challenges associated with AI technology, which can sometimes have negative consequences if not managed carefully. So, Microsoft is not just about pushing AI forward but doing so in a responsible and ethical manner, as highlighted in their 2019 blog post.
“Our AI tools and technologies are designed to benefit everyone at every level in every organization. They are used in workplaces, home offices, academic institutions, research labs, and manufacturing facilities around the world, and they are helping everyone from scientists and salespeople to farmers, software developers, and security practitioners”
the company wrote.
Microsoft’s leaders indeed demonstrated a strong understanding of the potential pitfalls and risks associated with AI technology. It’s likely that they anticipated various ways in which AI could be misused, such as academic cheating or the creation of deep fakes to replace real actors in deceptive ways. Their foresight likely contributed to their commitment to responsible AI development, as articulated in their 2019 blog post. By acknowledging and addressing these concerns, Microsoft aimed to ensure that AI advancements are not only groundbreaking but also used in ways that are ethical and beneficial to society.
Satya Nadella and Google had issues
Satya Nadella’s leadership at Microsoft has ushered in a remarkable era of change for the company, significantly departing from the approach of his predecessor, Steve Ballmer. Rather than isolating Microsoft from its competitors, Nadella has embraced a more collaborative strategy, even fostering partnerships with companies that traditionally might have been considered as rivals, such as Apple.
However, it’s important to highlight a significant point of contention. Nadella has found himself in a clash of perspectives with Alphabet, the parent company of Google. This friction became evident during his recent testimony in an antitrust lawsuit against Alphabet. In this legal setting, Nadella made it clear that he firmly believes Alphabet employs its substantial market power to stifle competition in the tech industry. This allegation is one that Alphabet unsurprisingly vehemently disputes.
This situation underscores the complex dynamics and competitive landscape in the tech sector, where even major players like Microsoft and Alphabet can have conflicting views and engage in legal disputes over antitrust concerns. It also illustrates the importance of regulatory oversight and legal scrutiny in ensuring fair competition in the tech industry.
The idea that users have genuine choice when it comes to their online activities, navigating from one website to another or conducting searches, is, according to the speaker, entirely misleading. In reality, defaults play a significant role in shaping these habits. The speaker compared this habitual behavior to the daily routine of getting up in the morning and brushing one’s teeth; it becomes almost automatic. Thus, because of this deeply ingrained habit, the only effective way to induce change is by altering these default settings. In essence, the speaker is emphasizing the powerful influence of defaults on user behavior and the challenge of breaking such established routines.
Nadella also believes that Alphabet sells a false narrative that OEM partners have a choice when in reality they don’t.
“Google has carrots and it has massive sticks…‘We’ll remove Google Play if you don’t have us as the primary browser.’ And without Google Play, an Android phone is a brick. And so that is the type of stuff that is impossible to overcome. No OEM is going to do that”
he said.
Satya Nadella Fears AI
Nadella also revealed an unexpected concern he holds regarding artificial intelligence, which might not align with common expectations or assumptions.
“I worry a lot, even in spite of my enthusiasm, that there is a new angle with AI. I worry a lot that, in fact, this vicious cycle that I’m trapped in can even become even more vicious because the defaults get reinforced. The publisher content can get locked in. And so if there are exclusive content deals which are happening right as we speak…all that content today, at least that’s crawlable by everyone and usable by large model training, could become exclusive,” he shared.
The CEO is expressing apprehension about the possibility of content, which essentially represents knowledge and information that is currently accessible to everyone, becoming proprietary and restricted. This concern might not manifest as the dramatic scenario of malevolent robots enslaving humanity, but it represents a subtler and potentially more challenging threat that is not as easily mitigated or guarded against.
Just to provide some context, these stocks are considered to be highly stable and reliable investments. Alphabet, with a current price of $137.58, has seen an impressive 55.9% increase in its value over the year, as of Friday’s data, and boasts a substantial market capitalization of $1.74 trillion.
Similarly, Microsoft has shown strong performance, with a 36.5% increase in its stock price for the year, currently trading at $327.26. Microsoft’s market capitalization stands at an impressive $2.43 trillion. These figures underscore the resilience and growth of these companies in the stock market, making them significant players in the tech industry.
