Earlier this week, Microsoft released its inaugural annual Responsible AI Transparency Report. You can find the foreword here and the full report here. The report details the company’s practices and policies for developing responsible, accountable AI. Notably, the report highlights the ways that public policy is playing a role in fostering a safe, trustworthy AI ecosystem. Microsoft’s practices, […]

AI is transforming many areas of research and applied science—and it will be an increasingly valuable tool for researching climate change and driving innovations in energy. In advance of Earth Day, NASA highlighted how it is developing new AI foundation models for earth, climate, and atmospheric research. You can also explore Microsoft’s vision for using AI for

Dear Executive Briefing Subscribers— Earlier this week, the Microsoft Threat Analysis Center (MTAC) released a new report on the current scope of foreign election interference in the U.S.—and the use of AI for malign influence. The full report can be found here and a summary discussion here. Microsoft and many other tech companies are taking steps to detect

Earlier this week, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and U.S. Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) released a discussion draft of the bipartisan, bicameral American Privacy Rights Act. This is a significant step forward in advancing federal data privacy legislation. The proposal establishes clear data privacy rights and protections, and preempts the existing patchwork of state

Late last week, news broke that San Francisco-based Microsoft software engineer Andres Freund discovered a serious security vulnerability maliciously inserted into the Linux operating system. As a contributor to Linux, Microsoft supports Linux and other open source technologies on Azure. The backdoor could have led to a major cyberattack. Freund is being hailed as a hero, and

The end of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is nearly here. Created by the 2021 infrastructure bill, the ACP enabled 23 million low-income American households to get online by providing access to discounted broadband services and devices. The program runs out of funding next month or in early May. Congress recently passed budget bills for

Policymakers at all levels of government are considering ways to best regulate AI as well as to access the benefits of this powerful, fast-developing technology. Earlier this week, the White House issued an executive order (EO) that in part directs federal agencies to leverage AI to improve research and drive better health outcomes for women.

Last month, we highlighted the announcement of the Tech Accord to Combat Deceptive Use of AI in 2024 Elections—an initiative from the technology industry, including Microsoft. Policymakers—as well as law enforcement officials—are also taking steps to understand and address this challenge. This week, the Associated Press published a deep-dive look at this issue around the world. AI has already

This summer will mark the 34th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, landmark civil rights legislation that provides protections for people with disabilities. Technology is playing a significant role in empowering people with disabilities and continuing to close the disability divide. Advances in AI are now contributing to this progress. This week’s annual Microsoft Ability

Earlier this week at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Microsoft announced a set of AI Access Principles to help foster AI innovation and competition. The principles in part define how Microsoft will operate data center infrastructure and other AI assets. The company will make AI tools and development models widely available as well as