● Covered by 4 sources · 4 reportsMedium impact4 neutral
Microsoft President Brad Smith Calls for Urgent Global AI Regulation
Key points
- AI is less regulated than milk and washing machines, according to Brad Smith.
- Smith advocates for global safety rules for AI.
- Proposed regulations include incident reporting and 'kill switches'.
- Independent evaluation of AI products before release is suggested.
- This stance contrasts with former US President Trump's call for self-regulation.
- Brad Smith called AI a “weapon and a tool” putting cybersecurity at risk.
- Smith said the UK is best placed to lead global AI safety rules.
- The UK's AI Safety Institute (AISI) was launched in 2023.
- AISI receives access to major models from US frontier labs before deployment.
- Donald Trump warned against “globalist” organizations interfering with American companies.
- Trump reportedly asked Anthropic and OpenAI to withhold models from British testers.
- AISI confirmed it can access and test the latest models.
AI Regulation Gap Highlighted
Microsoft President Brad Smith recently highlighted a significant regulatory gap, stating that artificial intelligence currently faces fewer safety rules than everyday items such as milk and washing machines. He emphasized that "Right now, your washing machine is subject to more safety rules than AI. Every carton of milk that you see in the grocery store is subject to safety rules and inspection."
Call for Global Safety Rules
Smith called for urgent global safety rules for AI, proposing several key measures. These include a legal obligation to inform a "victim" if their system is breached by a rogue AI agent, and the implementation of "emergency brakes" or "kill switches" to pause or slow down AI if it becomes uncontrollable. He also suggested that independent evaluators should sign off on AI products before their release.
Industry Alignment and Disagreement
Smith's call for increased regulation aligns with warnings from other major AI companies, including Anthropic, Google DeepMind, and OpenAI, which have also expressed concerns about AI safety and the pace of its development. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella also supported the idea of "emergency brakes" for AI models. However, this position contrasts with former US President Donald Trump, who has advocated for the AI sector to regulate itself to prevent US firms from falling behind Chinese rivals.
AI as a Tool and a Weapon
Speaking to the BBC, Smith described AI as both a "tool and a weapon" that requires immediate regulation. He urged, "Let's get started today," on establishing these rules. The growing calls for tougher AI controls come amidst increasing concerns from experts who view the technology as a potential threat.
Opportunity for Leadership
Smith also noted that the current lack of comprehensive AI regulation in the US presents an opportunity for other nations, such as the UK, to take a leading role in establishing governance frameworks for AI. The UK government is reportedly preparing to legislate for greater AI oversight.
Updates
- Brad Smith called AI a “weapon and a tool” putting cybersecurity at risk.
- Smith said the UK is best placed to lead global AI safety rules.
- The UK's AI Safety Institute (AISI) was launched in 2023.
- AISI receives access to major models from US frontier labs before deployment.
- Donald Trump warned against “globalist” organizations interfering with American companies.
- Trump reportedly asked Anthropic and OpenAI to withhold models from British testers.
- AISI confirmed it can access and test the latest models.
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
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How outlets covered it
Microsoft President Brad Smith called for urgent global AI regulation, stating that consumer products have more oversight than AI companies. Smith argued the UK is best positioned to lead these efforts due to its AI Safety Institute's role in testing major AI models.
Microsoft President Brad Smith stated that AI currently faces fewer regulations than common goods like milk or washing machines in the US. Smith suggested this regulatory gap presents an opportunity for the UK to take a leading role in establishing AI governance frameworks.
Microsoft President Brad Smith stated that AI is less regulated than milk and washing machines, advocating for increased safety rules and legal obligations for AI systems. This call for regulation aligns with warnings from other AI companies and comes as the UK government prepares to legislate for greater AI oversight.
Microsoft President Brad Smith asserted that AI is currently less regulated than common products like milk and washing machines, advocating for urgent global safety rules. He proposed legal obligations for incident reporting, 'kill switches' for AI systems, and independent evaluation of new AI technologies to manage potential risks.