Microsoft Develops Superintelligence While Snap Secures $400 Million Deal

Microsoft's AI ambitions are taking a significant turn as AI Chief Executive Mustafa Suleyman spearheads a new 'Superintelligence team' dedicated to developing 'humanist superintelligence.' This initiative aims to create advanced AI capabilities that surpass human performance but remain controllable and aligned with human values, specifically targeting applications like AI companions, expert-level medical diagnostics, and breakthroughs in clean energy. This strategic move also signals Microsoft's intent to bolster its AI self-sufficiency, lessening its reliance on longtime partner OpenAI. While Microsoft focuses on a controlled, human-serving approach, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman continues to discuss the broader implications of AI, acknowledging its potential dangers while emphasizing its role in expanding personal freedom and redefining human work. He also points to housing affordability as a key factor in wealth inequality. Across the industry, other major players are also making significant AI moves. Google, for instance, is planning a large AI data center on Australia's remote Christmas Island, a facility seen as a strategic asset for defense and monitoring naval activity, complete with a new subsea cable connection. Meanwhile, Snap Inc. has forged a substantial $400 million partnership with Perplexity AI, integrating the AI search engine directly into Snapchat by early 2026. This collaboration marks Snap's first external AI partner integration and aims to transform the app into a comprehensive AI platform for its 943 million monthly active users. In the fintech sector, Built Technologies, a company valued at $1.5 billion, launched an AI agent called 'Draw Agent' to automate commercial real estate lending draw requests, dramatically speeding up reviews by 95% and increasing risk detection by 400%. Other companies are also leveraging AI for specific business functions: Glider AI and Findem partnered to enhance trust and reduce bias in AI-based hiring, while Zalando's CISO Florence Mottay ensures the secure and ethical deployment of generative AI for its 50 million customers. Billtrust introduced 'Agentic AI' features to optimize collections outreach, and IBM is undergoing global job cuts, including 75 employees at its San Jose campus, to pivot towards AI and cloud computing, with AI systems already handling tasks previously performed by human resources staff. The growing demand for AI is also raising environmental concerns, as California's data centers face increasing energy and water consumption, prompting legislative efforts for greater transparency that have, so far, met challenges.

Key Takeaways

• Microsoft, under AI Chief Mustafa Suleyman, formed a new Superintelligence team to develop 'humanist superintelligence' for human-serving applications like AI companions and medical diagnostics.
• Microsoft's new AI strategy aims to increase its self-sufficiency and reduce reliance on OpenAI, focusing on controllable AI systems.
• OpenAI CEO Sam Altman discussed AI's potential benefits and dangers, emphasizing its role in expanding personal freedom and redefining work.
• Google plans to build a large AI data center on Australia's Christmas Island, viewed as a strategic asset for defense and surveillance.
• Snap Inc. secured a $400 million deal with Perplexity AI to integrate AI search into Snapchat by early 2026, transforming the app into an AI platform.
• Built Technologies, valued at $1.5 billion, launched an AI agent that automates commercial real estate lending draw requests, completing reviews 95% faster.
• IBM is cutting thousands of jobs globally to boost its focus on AI and cloud computing, with AI systems already taking over tasks from human employees.
• Glider AI and Findem partnered to improve trust and reduce bias in AI-based hiring through skills validation and a data-driven platform.
• Zalando's CISO Florence Mottay is focused on securing generative AI for over 50 million customers, ensuring ethical and accurate information delivery.
• California data centers are experiencing rising energy and water demands due to AI, leading to legislative attempts for usage reporting.

Microsoft AI Chief Suleyman unveils new vision

Microsoft's AI Chief Executive Mustafa Suleyman announced an ambitious new vision for the company's artificial intelligence efforts. He is leading a newly formed team focused on building advanced AI systems with superintelligence, meaning capabilities that surpass human performance. This reorganization aims to increase Microsoft's AI self-sufficiency and reduce its reliance on longtime partner OpenAI. The company plans to develop its own cutting-edge AI models for its products.

Microsoft creates Superintelligence team for human-focused AI

Microsoft's head of Artificial Intelligence, Mustafa Suleyman, announced the creation of a new Superintelligence team. This team will develop "Humanist Superintelligence," focusing on advanced AI capabilities designed to serve humanity. Microsoft aims to use this AI to address real-world challenges, including creating AI companions, advancing medical superintelligence, and finding plentiful clean energy solutions. The company emphasizes that this AI will be controllable, aligned with human values, and built to prevent unintended consequences.

Microsoft AI promises safe human-serving superintelligence

Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman stated the company is developing superintelligence specifically designed to serve humanity. He explained that this AI will be carefully controlled and limited, not an unbounded entity. Suleyman outlined three main applications for this "humanist" superintelligence: acting as an AI companion, assisting the healthcare industry, and creating scientific breakthroughs in clean energy. Microsoft AI believes humans matter more than AI and aims for a subordinate, controllable system that will not cause harm.

Microsoft AI forms team for controlled humanist superintelligence

Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman has formed a new Superintelligence team to develop "humanist superintelligence." This advanced AI will remain under human control and aims to solve real problems in a grounded and controllable way. This approach differs from the broader pursuit of Artificial General Intelligence, which is central to OpenAI's mission. Microsoft plans to use this technology for expert-level diagnostic models in healthcare and to accelerate breakthroughs in clean energy research. The goal is to advance technology within limits, improving lives globally while keeping humanity in control.

Microsoft AI chief Suleyman creates team for human-serving AI

Microsoft's AI chief, Mustafa Suleyman, announced the formation of the MAI Superintelligence Team to pursue artificial intelligence research. This group will focus on improving digital companions, diagnosing diseases, and generating renewable energy. Suleyman stated they are building practical, controllable technology designed only to serve humanity and solve real problems. The team aims for expert-level performance in medical diagnostics and will develop useful AI companions for education. Microsoft emphasizes it is not pursuing superintelligence without limits, addressing concerns about AI spending.

Microsoft pursues humanist superintelligence with new team

Microsoft is pursuing "humanist superintelligence" with a new MAI Superintelligence Team, led by AI chief Mustafa Suleyman. This move aims to make Microsoft more self-sufficient in AI development, reducing its reliance on OpenAI. Suleyman defines humanist superintelligence as advanced AI capabilities that always work for people and humanity. Microsoft rejects the idea of an AI race, focusing instead on delivering tangible, safe benefits for billions. The company has made significant investments in AI chips and expects this effort to take several years, with Karén Simonyan serving as chief scientist.

Snap partners with Perplexity AI for app search

Snap Inc. announced a deal to integrate AI search engine Perplexity AI into Snapchat. This partnership allows Snapchat users to ask questions directly within the app and receive answers. CEO Evan Spiegel sees this as a way to open Snapchat to more AI partners and leverage its messaging platform. Spiegel also believes augmented reality glasses will become the next major computing platform, serving as the primary interface for AI interactions beyond simple chatbots.

Snap's $400 million Perplexity deal builds AI platform

Snap announced a $400 million deal with Perplexity AI, marking the first time an external AI partner will integrate directly into Snapchat. This partnership is the initial step in Snap's plan to transform its app into an AI platform for its 943 million monthly active users. Snap CEO Evan Spiegel highlighted the value of Snapchat's messaging service, where conversational AI is becoming a key way people interact with information. Perplexity will launch in Snapchat in early 2026, offering users conversational answers from verifiable sources.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman discusses AI's future

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman discussed the potential benefits and dangers of artificial intelligence. He believes good AI can outweigh bad AI, acknowledging the technology "could go really wrong." Altman emphasized that technology should expand personal freedom and serve users' needs. He sees AI as an inevitable progression that will redefine human work, not replace it, and believes the socioeconomic contract must change. Altman also pointed to housing affordability as a major factor in wealth inequality, urging the wealthy to improve the world.

Google plans AI data center on Australia's Christmas Island

Google plans to build a large artificial intelligence data center on Australia's Christmas Island, a remote Indian Ocean outpost. This facility, whose details remain secret, is seen as a valuable asset for defense, monitoring Chinese naval activity. Google is in talks to lease land and secure energy for the center. Military experts, like Bryan Clark, highlight the island's importance as a forward "command and control" node for AI-enabled surveillance and targeting. The project includes a new subsea cable connecting the island to mainland Australia, with local officials examining community impact and potential economic benefits for the 1,600 residents.

Glider AI and Findem partner for trusted AI hiring

Glider AI and Findem announced a partnership to improve trust and performance in AI-based hiring. This collaboration combines Glider AI's skills validation technology with Findem's 3D data-driven AI platform. The goal is to make recruitment more accurate, reliable, and fair by using verified data and validated skills. CEOs Alexey A. Kulikov and Justin Watkins believe this will help businesses make better hiring decisions, reduce bias, and build stronger teams. The integration promises enhanced accuracy, increased trust, reduced bias, and improved hiring outcomes.

Zalando CISO Florence Mottay secures AI for customers

Florence Mottay, Zalando's Group Chief Information Security Officer, discusses balancing security with innovation in the AI era. Her team, responsible for protecting data for over 50 million customers, helps Zalando's tech teams safely deploy generative AI. This AI assists customers with tasks like finding clothing and getting size recommendations. Mottay's team ensures AI models are ethical and provide correct information, using extensive testing with 80,000 prompts to prevent malicious activity. She emphasizes that security should enable business, not stop it, and that customer data security is non-negotiable.

Built Technologies launches AI agent for real estate lending

Built Technologies, a fintech company valued at $1.5 billion, launched a new AI agent to manage billions of dollars in commercial real estate lending. This "Draw Agent" automates "draw requests," where construction firms ask lenders for financing as projects progress. Traditionally, this process took days or weeks, but the AI agent now completes reviews in as little as three minutes, making it 95% faster. Built Technologies CEO Chase Gilbert stated the agent also increases risk detection by 400% and ensures 100% policy adherence. The AI agent uses a decade of construction draw data to improve efficiency for clients like U.S. Bank and Citi.

Billtrust launches AI to optimize collections outreach

Billtrust launched new "Agentic AI" features for its Collections software, designed to recommend the best outreach strategies for collecting payments. This AI learns from customer interactions and analyzes buyer behavior to segment customers by risk and payment habits. It then suggests the optimal time, frequency, and communication channel for each segment. Billtrust states this precision outreach prevents over-contact, improves customer experience, and leads to higher recovery rates. The company aims to reduce manual workloads and set a new standard for intelligent, automated collections.

IBM cuts jobs globally to boost AI focus

IBM is cutting thousands of jobs worldwide, including 75 employees at its San Jose campus, as it shifts focus to artificial intelligence and cloud computing. These layoffs, set to take effect early next year, represent a small portion of IBM's 270,000 global workforce. CEO Arvind Krishna previously noted that AI systems have already taken over tasks from about 200 human resources employees, allowing the company to hire more software developers and sales staff. Despite the reductions, IBM expects its overall U.S. workforce to remain stable, following a 9% jump in quarterly revenue driven by its AI divisions.

California data centers face rising AI energy and water use

California's data centers are demanding more water and energy due to the rise of artificial intelligence, especially generative AI. State legislators tried to pass bills requiring data centers to report their energy and water usage, but these efforts faced challenges. Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan's energy reporting bill failed, and Assemblymember Diane Papan's water tracking bill was vetoed by Governor Gavin Newsom. Experts like Shaolei Ren from UC Riverside note that data centers accounted for 3% of the nation's energy use in 2020, projected to increase to 12% by 2028. Lawmakers seek more transparency to balance innovation with environmental sustainability.

Sources

• Microsoft lays out ambitious AI vision, free from OpenAI
• Microsoft forms superintelligence team to work towards AI-infused future (MSFT:NASDAQ)
• Microsoft AI says it’ll make superintelligent AI that won’t be terrible for humanity
• Microsoft forms Superintelligence team to pursue ‘humanist’ AI under Mustafa Suleyman
• Microsoft forms superintelligence team under AI chief Suleyman 'to serve humanity'
• Microsoft, freed from its reliance on OpenAI, is now chasing 'superintelligence'—and AI chief Mustafa Suleyman wants to ensure it serves humanity
• Snap Cuts Deal With Perplexity to Gain a Piece of the AI Action
• Snap Says $400 Million Perplexity Deal Is First Step in Building Out Its AI Platform
• Open AI's Sam Altman on the promise and peril of AI
• Exclusive: Google planning powerful AI data centre on tiny Australian Indian Ocean outpost
• Glider AI and Findem Partner to Set a New Standard for Trust and Performance in AI-Based Hiring
• Zalando Group CISO Florence Mottay on security in the AI era
• This fintech unicorn just launched an AI agent to handle billions of dollars in CRE lending
• Billtrust Launches Agentic AI That Recommends Optimal Outreach Strategy for Collections
• IBM cutting thousands of jobs worldwide, including dozens in Bay Area
• With the rise of AI, California’s data centers require more water, energy. But by how much?