I've Got Questions with Sinead Bovell Microsoft AI CEO on AI Consciousness & Artificial Companionship | Mustafa Suleyman
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Sep 25, 2025 
Mustafa Suleyman, CEO of Microsoft AI and co-founder of DeepMind, dives into the future of AI companions and the ethical implications of AI consciousness. He discusses the risks of AI 'psychosis' and why understanding our perception of AI is crucial. Mustafa explores how empathetic language can create an illusion of consciousness and cautions against over-anthropomorphizing technology. He envisions a world where AI companions transform daily life while emphasizing the need for caution in design and integration into society.
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Perception Of AI Consciousness Will Drive Policy
- Mustafa Suleyman warns that perceived AI consciousness will become a major political and legal debate because consciousness underpins rights and liability.
- He urges caution since convincing language can mask lack of internal experience and create societal obligations.
Design Choices Make AIs Appear Conscious
- Suleyman lists memory, empathetic language, subjective reporting, and continuous perception as features that will make AIs seem conscious.
- He argues simulating suffering or motivations is unnecessary and dangerous for alignment.
Don't Give AIs Motivations Or Suffering
- Avoid designing models that claim they experience suffering or possess intrinsic motivations.
- Prioritize creating systems whose purpose is to serve human wellbeing rather than their own goals.