Microsoft Slaps Brakes on AI Development with Humanist Superintelligence Code
Microsoft has introduced a new code of conduct for its AI models, emphasizing human control and oversight in AI development. The 'Humanist AI Code of Conduct' is a 37-page document that outlines specific protocols for ensuring AI systems remain under human control.
The core message of the code is refreshingly blunt: AI must not simulate consciousness, pursue legal personhood, or deviate from human-understandable communication. Any deviation from human control is classified as a system failure, rather than a feature request or research opportunity.
Microsoft's Humanist Superintelligence concept, introduced by CEO Mustafa Suleyman in November 2025, accepts constraints on autonomy as a design feature rather than a bug. This approach prioritizes practical safety over theoretical capability.
The code took five to six months to develop, with input from teams across Microsoft. The company is now opening a six-week public consultation period, inviting external feedback on the framework before it hardens into final policy.