In a candid assessment of the competitive AI landscape, Microsoft's AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman has acknowledged that Google's latest AI model, Gemini 3, possesses capabilities that Microsoft's own Copilot does not. The statement came during a recent interview with Bloomberg, where Suleyman was directly questioned on whether he considered the newly launched Google chatbot superior.
Gemini 3 vs Copilot: A Nuanced Rivalry
Mustafa Suleyman provided a balanced perspective on the AI race. He confirmed that Gemini 3, which Google launched last month, "can do things that Copilot can't do." However, he was quick to add that the reverse is also true, noting "Copilot also has features that it doesn't have." This highlights a market where different AI assistants are developing distinct, specialised strengths rather than one being universally better.
Suleyman specifically championed Copilot's advanced vision capabilities. He described it as "amazing for vision," explaining that it can process and understand everything a user sees in real time. This functionality allows users to share their screen—whether on mobile or desktop—with Copilot, discuss the content, and receive immediate feedback. The overarching goal, according to Suleyman, is to create an intelligent daily assistant that helps "unblock you whenever you get stuck."
Google's Claims for Gemini 3
The comments follow Google's launch of its most-advanced AI model, Gemini 3, just last month. At its unveiling, Google CEO Sundar Pichai touted the model as "the best model in the world for multimodal understanding." Google's official claims position Gemini 3 as superior in areas like coding, and state it is more creative and versatile than its predecessors.
Microsoft's 'Humanist Superintelligence' Red Line
Beyond the product comparison, Suleyman used the interview to outline a crucial philosophical and safety stance for Microsoft. He detailed the company's commitment to developing "humanist superintelligence"—AI systems designed strictly to serve human interests without operating autonomously.
He issued a stark warning, stating, "We won't continue to develop a system that has the potential to run away from us." For Microsoft, ensuring AI containment and alignment with human values are non-negotiable "necessary prerequisites" and "red lines" that must be met before any superintelligent tools are released. Suleyman framed this as a "novel position" in an industry aggressively pursuing superintelligence.
This principled stand gains significance as Microsoft operates with renewed independence in AI development, following a revised partnership agreement with OpenAI. The declaration sets a public benchmark for how the tech giant intends to navigate the risks associated with creating increasingly powerful AI.
