AI is less regulated than milk, says Microsoft president

Brad Smith, Microsoft’s president, urged the creation of worldwide safety regulations for artificial intelligence, emphasizing that the technology is currently less regulated than everyday items such as milk and washing machines. He argued that any company whose AI agents cause harm should be legally required to notify the affected parties, and that independent evaluators ought to certify AI products before they reach the market. Smith positioned the United Kingdom as the most suitable nation to spearhead these global rules, citing its AI Security Institute established under former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s administration as a foundation for international standards.

The call for formal AI oversight comes amid growing concern among experts that the technology could pose an existential threat, prompting leaders of major U.S. AI firms—including Anthropic, OpenAI, and Google DeepMind—to endorse a slowdown in development. President Donald Trump, however, has championed a self‑regulatory approach, warning that excessive regulation could disadvantage U.S. companies against Chinese rivals. While Trump advocates “emergency brakes” and mandatory incident reporting for rogue AI behavior, Smith contended that existing product safety frameworks, such as those governing milk cartons, demonstrate how regulatory mechanisms can be adapted for AI. He noted that the United States may be more receptive to UK‑led standards than to EU‑driven ones, given Washington’s relative indifference to British regulatory models.

Smith praised the “morally binding” pledge signed at the White House last month by executives from OpenAI, Anthropic, Nvidia, SpaceX, Meta, and Google, which commits the firms to work with independent auditors to ensure their systems operate as intended and do not unintentionally hack or access other technical systems. Although Microsoft has signed the agreement, Smith warned that voluntary compliance is insufficient, especially for less responsible companies that may ignore self‑regulatory expectations. He called for a calm yet firm international effort to bring stakeholders together, hoping both Microsoft and the UK can play pivotal roles in shaping a robust, enforceable global AI governance regime.

⚡ Effects Interpreter