Musician Krist Novoselic recently addressed Microsoft’s annual meeting, raising concerns about the company’s rapid advancement in artificial intelligence (AI) and its potential impact on long-term shareholder value. Novoselic, known for his role in the band Nirvana, represented a shareholder initiative urging Microsoft to thoroughly evaluate and disclose the consequences of its AI ventures.
During the virtual meeting, Novoselic emphasized that Microsoft should exercise caution in deploying its generative AI technologies, highlighting the necessity to assess and mitigate the associated risks. He pointed out the societal implications, as well as the legal, regulatory, and reputational risks that accompany the hasty release of such AI innovations.
As a Microsoft shareholder, Novoselic expressed his apprehension regarding the company’s prioritization of short-term profits over sustained success, particularly in the context of generative AI’s transformative potential.
In response to queries at the meeting, Microsoft President Brad Smith elaborated on the company’s commitment to AI safety and ethical development. Smith outlined Microsoft’s comprehensive framework for ensuring AI integrity, encompassing employee training, software development protocols, and pre-release evaluations.
Although a proposal urging Microsoft to investigate the dangers of misinformation and disinformation propagated through AI technologies was put forth, Microsoft shareholders ultimately opposed the initiative, along with eight other external proposals. Microsoft has committed to providing detailed outcomes within four days.
The proposal, spearheaded by Arjuna Capital, underscored the growing concerns surrounding generative AI, exemplified by Microsoft’s ChatGPT, and its potential to fuel misinformation campaigns that threaten democratic principles. The proposal called for a report assessing the risks posed by Microsoft’s involvement in disseminating AI-generated misinformation and outlining remedial strategies.
Microsoft’s board recommended against the proposal, citing the company’s robust measures to combat misinformation and disinformation. Microsoft’s proactive initiatives include collaborating with cybersecurity experts, public reporting on AI governance practices, and product-specific transparency reports to address information integrity risks associated with generative AI technologies.
Furthermore, Microsoft emphasized its ongoing investments in responsible AI practices, debunking any misconceptions regarding a reduction in AI ethics efforts following the restructuring of its Ethics and Society team. Microsoft affirmed its dedication to transparency and accountability in managing the risks associated with AI-driven misinformation and disinformation, underscoring its commitment to upholding ethical standards in AI development and deployment.
