Skip to main content

Free speech needs fearless journalism

Free speech is endangered; unbiased and trustworthy news is elusive. In a time of noise, confusion, and spin, we’re committed to clarity, truth, and depth — even when it’s hard.

We rely on readers like you to fund our journalism. Will you support our work and become a Vox Member today?

Join now

Microsoft’s Satya Nadella says artificial intelligence could create more jobs, not just eliminate them

It’s not all bad, Nadella says.

CEO of Microsoft Satya Nadella speaks onstage during the Vanity Fair New Establishment Summit at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on October 2, 2017 in Beverly Hills, California.
CEO of Microsoft Satya Nadella speaks onstage during the Vanity Fair New Establishment Summit at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on October 2, 2017 in Beverly Hills, California.
Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images

Artificial intelligence software is automating a lot of jobs that used to require human beings.

The technology is getting so smart, that Tesla’s Elon Musk is legitimately scared it could eventually take over. Other tech leaders, like Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg, disagree.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella? He thinks AI could actually add more jobs for humans — at least among certain demographics.

“We should have a very clear view of what automation does to displacement and we should get to it, but one of the things I also hope is we can take advantage of AI to get more people into the workforce,” Nadella said Tuesday at the Vanity Fair New Establishment Summit in Los Angeles.

Nadella talked about how AI could be used to help people who have disabilities, like hearing or visual impairments. He specifically mentioned a camera app from Microsoft, called Seeing, which narrates the things seen through a person’s smartphone camera, essentially providing visuals for those who have visual impairments.

“This is enabling someone who works at Microsoft today to more fully participate,” he added. “There are a lot of things we can do like that that are empowering people.”

AI is one of the three future-thinking technology areas that Microsoft is focusing on. The other two: mixed reality, similar to augmented reality in that it projects virtual objects onto the real world, and quantum computing.


This article originally appeared on Recode.net.

More in Technology

Future Perfect
OpenAI’s Sora 2 is an unholy abominationOpenAI’s Sora 2 is an unholy abomination
Future Perfect

The age of AI slop is upon us.

By Bryan Walsh
Life
The retro technology connecting kids to their friends The retro technology connecting kids to their friends 
Life

Kids are ditching screens but staying in touch, with the help of an ’80s-chic device.

By Anna North
Technology
We shouldn’t let kids be friends with ChatGPTWe shouldn’t let kids be friends with ChatGPT
Technology

OpenAI still isn’t doing enough to protect young people.

By Adam Clark Estes
Future Perfect
This California law will require transparency from AI companies. But will it actually prevent major disasters?This California law will require transparency from AI companies. But will it actually prevent major disasters?
Podcasts
Why TikTok is so influential — and why that’s particularly worrisome nowWhy TikTok is so influential — and why that’s particularly worrisome now
Podcast
Podcasts

Many used to worry about China’s power over the app — but American control is troubling, too.

By Sean Illing
Future PerfectThe Highlight
Think your AI chatbot has become conscious? Here’s what to do.Think your AI chatbot has become conscious? Here’s what to do.
Future PerfectThe Highlight

If you believe there’s a soul trapped inside ChatGPT, I have good news for you.

By Sigal Samuel