Microsoft’s AI chief Mustafa Suleyman has warned that the tech industry should not aim to build superintelligence, that is, AI systems far smarter and more capable than humans. He said such technology could quickly become too powerful to manage, making it risky for society.
Speaking on a podcast, Suleyman said superintelligence does not represent a “positive future” and should instead be seen as an anti-goal. While AI has rapidly improved, now able to write, analyse data and translate at near-human levels, he believes pushing beyond human intelligence brings unpredictable dangers.
Suleyman stressed that AI tools today only simulate human-like conversation. “They don’t feel or suffer,” he said, urging people not to confuse advanced responses with real consciousness.
Instead of building uncontrollable systems, Microsoft is focusing on what he calls “humanist superintelligence”, AI designed to stay aligned with human values, remain safe, and clearly operate under human control.
He also noted that AGI (artificial general intelligence) could arrive within five years, potentially reshaping how people work and develop new products. With this rapid progress, he said strong guardrails and strict regulation are essential to ensure AI remains beneficial.
Suleyman’s message reinforces a growing view in the tech world. As AI becomes more powerful, safety and human oversight must take priority over speed and ambition.
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