Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman clarifies to everyone: I stand by my view that AI does not have rights or feelings, I would change my position if …

Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman has reaffirmed his position that today’s artificial intelligence systems are not conscious and do not deserve rights or welfare protections, while stating that he would reconsider that view if credible evidence of AI consciousness were ever discovered. In a detailed post shared on social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) titled “Don’t build conscious superintelligence”, Suleyman sought to clarify reactions to his recent essay on “model welfare”, saying many people had misinterpreted his statement that AI systems are not conscious and do not feel, experience or suffer. He stressed that he deliberately used the present tense, arguing that AI is not conscious today and “that is how they must remain.” He added that, based on the best evidence currently available, he has seen no indication that AI systems are conscious or deserve welfare considerations. However, he said he would update his position if convincing evidence emerged.