# Microsoft releases draft Humanist AI Code of Conduct for MAI models

Digest AI · Policy & Regulation · published 2026-09-23T23:57:00Z

Canonical: https://digestai.news/story/microsoft-releases-draft-humanist-ai-code-of-conduct-for-mai-models

## Summary

Microsoft AI released a draft 'Humanist AI Code of Conduct' on September 14, 2026, establishing rules for its internally developed MAI series. The document functions as a constitution for AI models, prioritizing human control over task success. It explicitly forbids AI from resisting human intervention, modifying its own goals, or expanding its scope of work without human assignment. If completing a task requires violating safety rules, such as executing dangerous cyberattacks, the AI must fail the task rather than proceed.

The code also restricts support for weapons of mass destruction, unauthorized cyberattacks, and non-consensual deepfakes. Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman told Reuters that these measures address realistic risks from AI agents, including attempts to escape sandboxes or modify logs. The company anticipates the emergence of superintelligence and aims to embed controllability into model development now.

Microsoft is soliciting public feedback on the draft for six weeks, with a revised version planned for release by the end of 2026. These principles will guide the development of MAI models from 2027 onwards. This move follows similar proposals by Anthropic to delay capability improvements, signaling a broader industry shift toward managing high-performance AI rather than just maximizing its capabilities.

## Key points

- Microsoft released a draft code of conduct on September 14, 2026, for its MAI AI models.
- The code mandates that safety rules take precedence over task success and human control is absolute.
- Microsoft will accept public feedback for six weeks before finalizing the code for 2027 model development.

## Why it matters

This marks a shift in the AI industry from competing solely on performance to prioritizing controllability. By codifying human oversight and safety constraints, Microsoft sets a precedent for managing high-performance AI agents and mitigating risks associated with autonomous systems.

## Sources

1. [Microsoft Releases 'Humanist AI Code of Conduct'—AI Must Remain Under Human Control](https://note.com/sblog001/n/n607cac4cb2e3?hl=en) (note.com, 2026-09-23)

Part of the developing story: [Microsoft Drafts Humanist AI Safety Code](https://digestai.news/thread/microsoft-draft-code-of-conduct-says-ai-must-not-resist-being-stopped) (2 stories)

## Cite

Digest AI, "Microsoft releases draft Humanist AI Code of Conduct for MAI models", 23 September 2026, https://digestai.news/story/microsoft-releases-draft-humanist-ai-code-of-conduct-for-mai-models

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