Microsoft offers Customer Commitments for a “responsible AI journey”

As one of many arbiters of artificial intelligent powered consumer products lately, Microsoft is looking to assuage public concerns regarding abuse and harm that could result from unfettered AI use, with its transparency tenants of Customer Commitments.

In a press authored by Microsoft’s corporate vp and deputy general counsel Anthony Cook, the company offers up three new AI Customer Commitments intended to offer additional levels of “guardrails” and transparency for its customers as they go about using AI today and in the future.

First, we will share what we are learning about developing and deploying AI responsibly and assist you in learning how to do the same. Microsoft has been on a responsible AI journey since 2017, harnessing the skills of nearly 350 engineers, lawyers and policy experts dedicated to implementing a robust governance process that guides the design, development and deployment of AI in safe, secure and transparent ways.

This includes sharing expertise via key documents and publishing’s as they become available. For Microsoft’s part, it will begin its shared documentation process with its Responsible AI Standard, AI Impact Assessment Template, AI Impact Assessment Guide, Transparency Notes. 

Second, we are creating an AI Assurance Program to help you ensure that the AI applications you deploy on our platforms meet the legal and regulatory requirements for responsible AI.

The program includes regulatory engagement support, risk framework implementation, customer councils, and regulatory advocacy.

Third, we will support you as you implement your own AI systems responsibly, and we will develop responsible AI programs for our partner ecosystem.

Microsoft intends to offer dedicated resources in the form of AI legal and regulatory experts around the world as well as a comprehensive partner network to aid in launching and leveraging new AI platforms.

Admittedly, Microsoft understands that its proposed AI Customer Commitments are only the start of what could be a long AI journey for some businesses but at this moment in time, these commitments need to be considered and adopted by the sector at large.