New Microsoft book, 'The Future Computed,' examines AI's role in society

By Dan Thorp-Lancaster
last updated

Artificial Intelligence and machine learning have entered the spotlight more and more in recent years, as major tech companies have each made innovating around AI a focus. Microsoft is among those pushing the envelope in AI research, having created a dedicated AI research group (opens in new tab) group in 2016 to focus on a stated initiative to "democratize AI." However, as we explore integrating AI into more aspects of our lives, there are inevitably societal and ethical questions that arise. In a new book, titled "The Future Computed," Microsoft explores these issues and how AI may impact society.

In a blog post penned by Microsoft president and chief legal officer Brad Smith, along with Harry Shum, Executive Vice President of Microsoft AI and Research Group, the executives detail the questions that drive the book's exploration of AI's role in society.

How do we ensure that AI is designed and used responsibly? How do we establish ethical principles to protect people? How should we govern its use? And how will AI impact employment and jobs?To answer these tough questions, technologists will need to work closely with government, academia, business, civil society and other stakeholders. At Microsoft, we've identified six ethical principles – fairness, reliability and safety, privacy and security, inclusivity, transparency, and accountability – to guide the cross-disciplinary development and use of artificial intelligence. The better we understand these or similar issues — and the more technology developers and users can share best practices to address them — the better served the world will be as we contemplate societal rules to govern AI.

"The Future Computed" features a forward by Smith and Shum, and teams at Microsoft collaborated to compose its contents. If you're interested in exploring some of the ethical concerns behind AI, as well as some of the breakthroughs it could bring to areas like healthcare and transportation, the book is available for free in its entirety as a PDF.

Read "The Future Computed" at Microsoft{.cta .large}

Dan Thorp-Lancaster
Dan Thorp-Lancaster

Dan Thorp-Lancaster is the former Editor-in-Chief of Windows Central. He began working with Windows Central, Android Central, and iMore as a news writer in 2014 and is obsessed with tech of all sorts. You can follow Dan on Twitter @DthorpL and Instagram @heyitsdtl. 

3 Comments
  • This is a really good read! Thanks.
  • You've already read the whole thing?
  • First few pages are busy-talk with Cortona. Yes you guessed it, its what Cortona will be able to do in 2038. Meanwhile, Alexa will have taken a robotic form, have a protector skill that acts as a lethal armed security(making home alarm systems nearly obsolete) , make breakfast/dinner, take the kids to school safely(because with all the unemployment the crime rate will tick up annually) , pick kids up, create and manage your portfolio, and more than likely have some sort of sex skill. Meanwhile Cortona is reading and syncing calendars, parsing through results from your doctor and looping through an annoying follow up reminder....