Microsoft is taking a significant step in understanding the far-reaching implications of artificial intelligence (AI) by establishing a new unit within its Microsoft AI business division. The Advanced Planning Unit (APU) will delve into the societal, health, and work implications of AI, as the company continues to invest heavily in AI-driven growth.

The APU will operate out of the office of Microsoft AI's CEO, Mustafa Suleyman, and will combine cutting-edge research to explore and articulate possible scenarios for the future of AI. The unit will also be responsible for making product recommendations and suggesting planning outcomes based on them, as well as producing a rolling program of events, publications, and reports to further understanding.

The formation of the APU comes at a time when Microsoft is betting big on AI-driven growth. During the company's Q4 earnings conference call, CEO Satya Nadella reported that capital expenditures topped $22.6 billion, a new record high, which he attributed to meeting demand for Microsoft's AI and cloud offerings. Nadella emphasized that as AI becomes more efficient and accessible, the company expects to see exponentially more demand.

The APU is looking to hire a diverse range of experts, including economists, psychologists, and those with backgrounds in emerging fields such as quantum, nuclear, and silicon. According to Suleyman, the unit is seeking individuals who can "capture this hyper-evolutionary space and let us know what's happening and why it matters."

This development is not an isolated move, as Microsoft has been reorganizing its internal structure to prioritize AI. The company recently created a new internal dev-focused AI organization called CoreAI – Platform and Tools, which combines the company's existing Developer Division and AI platform teams. Nadella has stated that Microsoft's focus for the coming year will be on "[AI] model-forward" applications that "reshape all application categories."

Microsoft is not alone in recognizing the need to study AI's impacts and guide its development. OpenAI, a close collaborator and partner, brought on its first chief economist last October to lead research into how AI might influence economic growth and job prospects. A recent study by the Brookings Institute highlights the potential disruption that generative AI could bring, with at least half of the tasks performed by over 30% of all workers at risk of being disrupted.

The establishment of the APU demonstrates Microsoft's commitment to understanding the broader implications of AI and its potential to shape the future of work, health, and society. As the company continues to invest in AI-driven growth, the APU will play a critical role in ensuring that Microsoft's AI developments are guided by a deep understanding of their potential consequences.

With the AI landscape rapidly evolving, Microsoft's move to create the APU is a timely and significant step towards responsible AI development. As the company navigates this complex and rapidly changing space, the APU will be instrumental in helping Microsoft – and the broader tech industry – to build a future where AI benefits all aspects of society.