Microsoft · Responsible AI

Aether Committee and Office of Responsible AI Governance

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What it is

To put our principles into practice, Microsoft has established internal governance bodies including the Aether Committee — an advisory body of senior leaders and researchers — and the Office of Responsible AI, which sets the rules and processes for responsible AI at Microsoft.

Why it matters

The existence of named governance bodies creates an accountability structure that regulators and the public can reference — and their effectiveness (or lack thereof) will determine whether Microsoft's AI commitments are operationalized or remain aspirational.

Consumer impact

Microsoft's Responsible AI framework sets out the ethical principles — fairness, reliability, privacy, security, inclusiveness, transparency, and accountability — that govern how AI is built and deployed across all Microsoft products used by consumers. While these commitments signal meaningful intent, they are voluntary and do not create legally enforceable rights for individual users, meaning consumers harmed by AI decisions have limited direct recourse under this document alone. You can submit feedback or concerns about Microsoft AI systems through the dedicated responsible AI resources linked at microsoft.com/en-us/ai/responsible-ai.

Applicable agencies

  • FTC
    The FTC can investigate whether Microsoft's disclosed AI governance bodies are operational and effective, or whether their public disclosure constitutes a deceptive representation under FTC Act Section 5.
    File a complaint →
  • SEC
    As a public company, Microsoft's AI governance disclosures may be material to investors under Securities Exchange Act Section 10(b) and SEC Rule 10b-5 if the governance bodies are not functioning as described.
    File a complaint →

Provision details

Document information
Document
Responsible AI
Entity
Microsoft
Document last updated
March 5, 2026
Tracking information
First tracked
March 15, 2026
Last verified
April 4, 2026
Record ID
CA-P-002074
Document ID
CA-D-00003
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
Wayback Machine
SHA-256
de99fca7fd2ebd374c7f5dd22d7ff57569e2321c88c91f75c4f9e17147793b07
Verified
✓ Snapshot stored   ✓ Change verified
How to Cite
ConductAtlas Policy Archive
Entity: Microsoft | Document: Responsible AI | Record: CA-P-002074
Captured: 2026-03-15 11:09:49 UTC | SHA-256: de99fca7fd2ebd37…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/microsoft/responsible-ai/aether-committee-and-office-of-responsible-ai-governance/
Accessed: April 4, 2026
Classification
Severity
Medium
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