Microsoft reportedly lays off ethics team that critically assessed AI tools

Microsoft has reportedly laid off its entire "ethics and society" team within the AI organisation, who were responsible for ensuring AI principles were closely followed during product design.

The move comes at a time when the company is actively expanding its in-house generative AI, Bing AI.

Although Microsoft has maintained an "active Office of Responsible AI" to govern the company's AI initiatives, the ethics and society team played a critical role in ensuring products reflected company principles.