Microsoft has given up 'significant sales' over concerns that the customer will use AI for evil, says a top scientist

Long-time Microsoft scientist Eric Horvitz says that the software company takes AI ethics so seriously, "significant sales have been cut off" because it was concerned that the potential customer would use its technology for no good. Horvitz, a director and technical fellow with Microsoft Research, made his remarks on stage at Carnegie Mellon University's K&L Gates Conference on Ethics and AI on Monday, as originally reported by GeekWire. I got in touch with Microsoft for more clarity on Horvitz's remarks. The company confirmed that Microsoft had never cut off a deal with an existing customer -- Horvitz was referring to the loss of possible revenue from potential customers. "Microsoft may decide to forego the pursuit of business proposals for numerous reasons, including the company's commitment to upholding human rights," a spokesperson tells Business Insider.