Brad Smith explores how generative AI is creating a new economy akin to the impact of the printing press. He emphasizes the need for partnerships, infrastructure, and skills development for the AI economy. Microsoft's AI Access Principles promote innovation while ensuring access, fairness, and responsibility.
Generative AI is creating a new economy like the printing press did, fostering new businesses and industries.
Partnerships between countries, regulators, and tech companies are crucial for building the infrastructure needed for generative AI.
Deep dives
The New AI Economy
The podcast episode delved into the concept of the new AI economy, highlighting the emergence of a transformative sector driven by various technological components working in unison to advance AI capabilities. Microsoft's keynote at the Mobile World Congress emphasized the critical importance of understanding and facilitating the growth of this sector, focusing on AI data centers, foundation models, and the significance of collaboration to enable AI innovations globally. Key principles like access, fairness, and responsibility were introduced as essential pillars shaping the new AI economy.
Technological Evolution and Historical Parallels
Drawing parallels with the invention of the printing press, the episode underscored the significant impact of AI as a groundbreaking creation in fostering innovation, sharing knowledge, and transforming societies akin to historical advancements. The discussion highlighted the need for comprehensive tech infrastructures like AI chips and foundation models to support the growth of the AI economy, reflecting on past technological diffusion and the pivotal role partnerships play in driving technological progress.
AI Access Principles and Societal Commitments
Microsoft introduced the AI Access Principles, emphasizing goals centered on fostering AI innovation and collaboration while adhering to legal frameworks and promoting partnerships across diverse sectors. The episode outlined the importance of broad access to AI infrastructure and models, the significance of fairness in interactions with stakeholders, and the company's dedication to addressing broader societal responsibilities such as cybersecurity, skills development, and environmental sustainability. These principles aim to establish trust and transparency in advancing AI technologies globally.
Gutenberg's invention of the printing press led to a new economy, which created a new sector of businesses, industries, and jobs. Generative AI is providing a similar opportunity today.
In this episode, Brad Smith draws on the lessons from the printing press and supporting industries to illustrate how different technologies are coming together to create a new AI economy. He explains the critical partnerships between countries, government regulators, and tech companies - building the necessary infrastructure required to run generative AI to developing the skills people need to use it. Brad also discusses how Microsoft’s AI Access Principles foster both innovation and a path for new businesses by ensuring access, fairness, and responsibility.