Microsoft Word accused of censoring after telling users that terms like ‘maternity leave’ are not inclusive enough

Technology giant Microsoft has been accused of censoring terms such as ‘maternity leave’ because they are not inclusive enough.

The tool, which can suggest alternatives to improve writing such as synonyms and grammatic corrections, now appears to have expanded to detecting when a user’s language is ‘not inclusive’.

When typing ‘maternity leave’, users are now instead told to use ‘birth-related leave’, ‘parental leave’ or ‘childbirth leave’.

And when referring to paternity leave – the time off taken by a father – it suggests ‘child-bonding leave’ as an alternative. 

When users type ‘maternity leave’, they are greeted with a message that says: ‘Inclusiveness. This term may not be inclusive of all genders’.

The tool, which can suggest alternatives to improve writing such as synonyms and grammatic corrections, now appears to have expanded to detecting when a user’s language is ‘not inclusive’

The inclusivity tool, which is part of Microsoft’s AI function, was launched in 2019 but has recently come under fire after a screenshot of its maternity suggestions was uploaded to social media

The prompts are only on an opt-in basis, meaning users can disable them if they do not want to see alternative options. 

Taking to social media, some branded the suggestions as an ‘absolute joke’. 

The inclusivity tool, which is part of Microsoft’s AI function, was launched in 2019 but has recently come under fire after a screenshot of its maternity suggestions was uploaded to social media.

The suggestions are available on all Microsoft software, which includes Word, Outlook and Powerpoint.

It’s not the first time AI functions launched by the firm have caused controversy.

It was announced earlier this year Microsoft is considering adding an extra key to its signature QWERTY keyboard.

When pressed, the key will allow users to quickly access the AI assistant Copilot.

Copilot can be used to help with a range of tasks such as organising files and windows on a user’s screen and carrying out more useful internet searches.

In a blog post announcing the update, Microsoft consumer chief marketing officer Yusuf Mehdi said the company was ‘ushering in a significant shift toward a more personal and intelligent computing future where AI will be seamlessly woven into Windows from the system, to the silicon, to the hardware’.

He said adding the Copilot key would ‘simplify people’s computing experience but also amplify it’ and would ’empower people to participate in the AI transformation more easily’.

A video shared by Microsoft shows how the new button will feature the Copilot logo, and sit between the Alt key and left arrow key on the keyboard.

Microsoft has been contacted for comment.