Microsoft's AI ethics team layoff shocked many critics.

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The logo of French headquarters of American multinational technology company Microsoft, is pictured outside on March 6, 2018 in Issy-Les-Moulineaux, a Paris' suburb.

Many tech experts shared their concerns, claiming that regulators should start getting involved in Microsoft's AI-related activities.

Recently, the software giant terminated 10,000 of its employees. The Platformer reported that Microsoft will continue investing in responsibility work despite its recent layoffs.

However, many experts are now questioning Microsoft's decision to lay off its AI ethics team as a responsible one.

Microsoft's AI Ethics Team Layoff Concerns Experts

According to Ars Technica's latest report, the AI ethics and society team was the one reducing risks linked to OpenAI techs in Microsoft products.

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Microsoft Corp co-founder Bill Gates attends a meeting with South Korea's National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin-pyo (not pictured) at the National Assembly on August 16, 2022 in Seoul, South Korea. Bill Gates was set to deliver a speech at the National Assembly on the importance of international health cooperation in the face of contagious diseases like COVID-19.

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But, before the AI ethics team was removed, Microsoft said that it developed a "responsible innovation toolkit."

This technology is designed to help Microsoft engineers identify the harms that AI technologies can cause; it can also help reduce these risks.

"Microsoft is committed to developing AI products and experiences safely and responsibly, and does so by investing in people, processes, and partnerships that prioritize this," said the software giant.

However, many experts still criticize the company's decision to terminate its AI ethics and society team.

Emily Bender, a computational linguistics expert from the University of Washington, said that Microsoft's decision is "short-sighted" and "damning."

Even Elon Musk was Suprised

Aside from tech critics and enthusiasts, Elon Musk was also surprised with the decision of Microsoft.

Elon Musk posted a tweet, asking if Microsoft really fired its AI safety team.

The billionaire's Twitter post already generated 50,000 likes, 10,000 retweets, and 6,000 comments.

In the comment section, many Twitter users also shared their opinions. One of them said that trusting Bill Gates with AI is similar to allowing Jeffrey Epstein babysit their kids.

You can check Musk's official tweet below to see more of their comments.

Aside from working on new AI techs for its products, Microsoft is focusing on its other innovations.

Previously, the new Microsoft PC Game Pass was rolled out across 40 new countries. We also reported about the new Microsoft Edge VSR feature.

For more news updates about Microsoft and its other business activities, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.

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