Microsoft announced on Monday the release of a draft “Humanist AI Code of Conduct,” a 37‑page document that sets out the principles intended to steer the development of its Microsoft AI (MAI) models. The company said it will collect feedback on the draft for the next six weeks and incorporate that input into a revised version that is expected to be published before the end of the year.
Key principles and timeline
The draft code is described as the primary governing document for how Microsoft trains its AI models, the technical controls it applies, the monitoring systems it deploys, and the organizational culture that supports those efforts. It emphasizes a single overriding goal: “humans must retain meaningful control over AI so that it can help people live healthier, happier, and more productive lives.” The company also framed the initiative with a broader premise that “people matter more than AI” and that technology should advance human civilization.
According to the document, the code will guide model development through 2027 and beyond, with Microsoft planning similar consultation processes for future revisions. The draft notes that Microsoft began its superintelligence work in November 2025, deliberately embedding humanist principles to keep humanity in control of advanced systems. It defines superintelligence as AI that is “more intelligent and capable than all humans combined” and predicts that, over the next decade, such systems will exceed human performance on most tasks.
Microsoft acknowledges the challenge of containing, controlling, and aligning a technology it calls “the most powerful technology in history,” stating that clear objectives and limits are essential alongside optimism about the benefits AI can deliver.
Industry context and reactions
The release of the draft arrives as leaders of other major AI labs, including OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, have called for increased third‑party oversight to ensure alignment of powerful models. Mustafa Suleyman, CEO of Microsoft AI, told Reuters that the timing is right for coordinated discussions among labs, saying, “clearly now time to coordinate among the labs so we can ensure that we have control of this technology.” He added that the moment is appropriate for a collective pause and conversation on pacing AI development.
Microsoft indicated that the draft was developed over the past five to six months and that it will use the six‑week comment period to refine its approach. The company expects the final version to be released before the close of the calendar year, positioning the code as a living document that will evolve alongside advances in AI capability.
By inviting external input and outlining a structured timeline, Microsoft aims to demonstrate a proactive stance on AI safety and governance, while also signaling to regulators, partners, and the broader public that it is taking concrete steps to keep human agency at the center of AI progress.
Mitchell Landsberg is a Senior Technology Correspondent at News Raise. He covers consumer electronics, artificial intelligence, software developments, and digital privacy trends.
