Krist Novoselic, co-founder and bass guitarist for the seminal rock band Nirvana, recently led a shareholder proposal presentation urging Microsoft to reevaluate its approach to generative artificial intelligence (AI).<\/p>\n
Called Shareholder Proposal 13: Report on AI Misinformation and Disinformation, per a press release, the proposal was submitted by Arjuna Capital \u201con behalf of Krist Novoselic\u201d and several other shareholder groups.<\/p>\n
The proposal cited several key shareholder concerns, including the potential for Microsoft-developed or -backed models to participate in the spread of mass disinformation and misinformation. <\/p>\n
It also brought up questions surrounding whether Section 230, a law giving internet hosts and website users limited protections against liability for content from third parties, would even apply to content generated by the host\u2019s own generative artificial intelligence systems.<\/p>\n
https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/f0kdBCQndv0<\/p>\n
In his presentation, Novoselic asked, \u201cWhat happens when society relies on information generated through Microsoft\u2019s AI-powered Bing, a platform found to produce inaccurate answers ten percent of the time?\u201d He also brought up the calls for a six-month pause on AI development\u00a0from experts earlier this year, which Microsoft, alongside the rest of the industry, chose not to heed.<\/p>\n
According to Novoselic, Microsoft\u2019s rush to market \u201cseemingly prioritized short term profits over long term success.\u201d<\/p>\n
Microsoft\u2019s board responded to the proposal by stating it had \u201calready fulfilled the proposal\u2019s request with existing and upcoming reporting.\u201d However, according to Arjun Capital, the proposal\u2019s purpose was to get \u201cinformation that goes beyond these reports\u2019 generic commitments to responsible AI.\u201d<\/p>\n
Specifically, the shareholders behind the proposal sought to spur Microsoft to comprehensively assess the risk associated with generative AI in the long term.<\/p>\n
Citing its current programs and reporting as sufficient, Microsoft\u2019s board made the recommendation that shareholders deny the proposal. The proposal failed to pass a subsequent shareholder vote.<\/p>\n