NEW YORK: Mustafa Suleyman, CEO of Microsoft AI and co-founder of DeepMind, has said that artificial intelligence is transforming the way power is distributed by lowering the cost of action to almost zero. Speaking in a recent interview on Trevor Noah’s podcast What Now?, Suleyman stressed that AI is no longer simply a tool but an “action agent” that allows individuals to execute tasks once handled by entire teams.
He explained that AI can now send emails, draft contracts, write code, design websites, and even negotiate on behalf of users. According to him, this marks a shift from organizations holding executive power to individuals who know how to use AI effectively. “Any individual can have the influence of a large-scale company,” he said, highlighting that the technology has redefined what it means to take action.
Tracing his journey from founding DeepMind in 2011 to leading Microsoft’s AI division, Suleyman noted that his vision remains unchanged: building systems that understand human behavior and act accordingly. He emphasized that the true impact of AI lies not in technical breakthroughs but in making execution accessible to everyone.
Suleyman also warned about risks. He identified four red lines AI must not cross: modifying its own code, setting independent goals, obtaining external resources, or taking autonomous actions. To ensure safety, he called for clear boundaries, including permission systems, accountability measures, and behavior isolation.
“AI is not replacing humans,” Suleyman concluded. “It is redistributing power by giving ordinary people the ability to act.”
