5 big tech companies form group to foster good AI

Silicon Valley company is creating AI software for self-driving cars. Amazon's Alexa can now handle commands for the Hyundai G90 luxury car (Photo: Genesis) Some of the top names in tech have formed a consortium aimed at fostering the promise of artificial intelligence while keeping its less savory side-effects in check. Microsoft, Amazon, IBM, Google and Facebook announced Thursday the formation of the Partnership on Artificial Intelligence to Benefit People and Society. Noticeably absent as founding members are companies such as Apple and Tesla. "We look forward to working arm-in-arm on best practices and on such important topics as ethics, privacy, transparency, bias, inclusiveness, and safety," Eric Horvitz, managing director of Microsoft Research, said in a statement.