Microsoft has been at the forefront of building generative AI responsibly and at scale, as evidenced by their recent Responsible AI Transparency Report. Microsoft's approach to responsible AI (RAI) involves establishing principles and processes that minimise unexpected harm and ensure users receive the experiences they seek. The company's Responsible AI Standard serves as a guide for product development, covering impact assessment, failure management, and transparency regarding limitations.
Over the past year, Microsoft has rapidly integrated customer feedback from pilot programs and ongoing engagement to refine their generative AI offerings, such as the Copilot feature on Bing. Sarah Bird, Microsoft's Chief Product Officer for Responsible AI, emphasises the importance of experimentation and adaptation: "We need to have an experimentation cycle with them where they try things on. We learn from that and adapt the product accordingly."
AI-powered tools like Microsoft Copilot can summarise missed meetings, assist in writing business proposals, and even suggest personalised meal plans based on available ingredients. As these technologies become more sophisticated and widely adopted, they have the potential to streamline workflows, enhance creativity, and provide insight.
Natasha Crampton, Microsoft's Chief Responsible AI Officer, acknowledges the evolving nature of AI technology: "These are uses that we certainly didn't design for, but that's what naturally happens when you are pushing on the edges of the technology.", it’s crucial for companies like Microsoft to remain vigilant and adaptable.
Sarah Bird emphasises the importance of humility and continuous learning: "We need to be really humble in saying we don't know how people will use this new technology, so we need to hear from them. We have to keep innovating, learning and listening."