Microsoft, one of the largest software companies in the world, has found it necessary to educate its investors that AI can pose a threat to its brand and reputation.
It is possible that in the foreseeable future, roads around the world will be filled with self-driving cars that will carry passengers to work, and robots will cook dinner for people and wait for them at home.
But for now, we have unmanned vehicles driving through red lights and robots ready to "kill people."
Of course, there is still an opportunity to understand all the intricacies of the incredibly promising field of artificial intelligence. In turn, Microsoft wants to make sure its investors are aware that the road to a future with true AI is full of bumps and holes.
On August 3, 2018, Microsoft filed its annual Form 10-K with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). This form allows the public to be notified of any new business risks that may affect the decision to invest in the company.
On February 5, 2019, Quartz reported that Microsoft added a new section to its 10-K 2018 form, specifically dedicated to the company's AI development and the associated risks:
Microsoft has enough reason to worry about AI. For example, in 2016 the company found itself at the center of a major scandal when its chatbot, Tay, began spewing Nazi slogans on the Web. Then, in February 2018, researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology reported that their AI facial recognition system showed 21% errors in identifying the faces of women with dark skin, while in the case of fair-skinned men, errors were less than a percent.
Given the full potential of artificial intelligence, it is highly unlikely that a large company like Microsoft will decide to abandon development in this area. With the 10-K, the corporation took a major step as it informed investors that it may have to weather several more storms before it can reach the solar future that AI can bring.
Vladimir Guillen