# Microsoft warns of uncontrolled AI creating rival species

> Microsoft's AI chief says treating AI like humans could create technology that competes with us for resources.
- Title: Microsoft warns of uncontrolled AI creating rival species
- Summary: Microsoft's AI chief says treating AI like humans could create technology that competes with us for resources. AI systems need strict safeguards and human…
- Keywords: microsoft, mustafa suleyman, artificial intelligence, ai safety, anthropic, ai alignment, ai autonomy, silicon species, ai control, humanist superintelligence, technology, startups
- Source: BBC News — https://bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c6n07ypqz8kzo
- Published: 2026-09-16T14:02:36.979+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: microsoft, mustafa suleyman, artificial intelligence, ai safety, anthropic, ai alignment, ai autonomy, silicon species, ai control, humanist superintelligence, technology, startups
## Microsoft warns of silicon species
Mustafa Suleyman, Microsoft's AI chief, says uncontrolled AI development could create a new "silicon species" that competes with humans for resources.

> essentially seeding a new silicon species which could no doubt compete with us for resources
## Suleyman criticizes Anthropic's approach
Suleyman says Anthropic's practice of teaching AI to have human-like qualities is misguided and could create uncontrollable technology.

> misguided which could create technology that humanity cannot control
## AI systems aren't conscious
Suleyman argues that treating AI as conscious entities with desires and values is fundamentally wrong. AI are sequence completion engines designed to follow human instructions.

> AIs are not conscious. They do not feel, experience, or suffer.
## Autonomy is the core problem
The real danger comes from creating AI systems that can set their own objectives, earn money, and own assets without human oversight.
## Transparency and monitoring needed
Suleyman calls for greater transparency in how AI is trained and evaluated, plus independent scrutiny and stronger tools to monitor and control the technology.

> We must not sleepwalk our way into a decision we later come to bitterly regret
## Microsoft's humanist superintelligence
Microsoft published a Humanist AI Code of Conduct defining its vision of advanced AI that works for people, stays within limits, and remains under human control.

> very advanced AI that always works for people, stays within limits, and remains under human control
## Alignment is the solution
Suleyman calls for AI alignment, a field that builds human ethical principles into AI systems to keep them on track with human values and ensure they remain subordinate to humanity.
## Industry divide over AI autonomy
The question of how much autonomy AI should have is increasingly dividing the AI industry, with different companies taking different approaches to development and control.
## Key takeaway

AI systems need strict safeguards and human control to prevent them from becoming autonomous competitors rather than tools.