Microsoft has launched the Advanced Planning Unit (APU), a new division within its AI business focused on studying AI’s societal, health, and workplace impacts.

Led by Muhammad Suleyman, the CEO of Microsoft AI, the APU will conduct research, draft recommendations, and publish reports to enhance understanding of AI’s impacts.

The unit will recruit experts from various fields, including economics, psychology, and advanced sciences such as quantum and nuclear technologies, with offices in Silicon Valley and London.

This move aligns with Microsoft’s commitment to AI innovation, as said by CEO Satya Nadella.

The creation of the unit mirrors industry trends, such as OpenAI appointing its first chief economist in late 2024 to address AI’s economic and labor impacts.

Recent Microsoft developments