Microsoft’s Leaders Have a Plan to Make AI Safer. It Involves Treating It Like Washing Machines and Milk

Microsoft chief Brad Smith has argued that artificial intelligence (AI) requires more stringent oversight than everyday household items like washing machines and milk. Speaking to the BBC's Big Boss Interview podcast, Smith emphasized that AI's growing power and heightened risks necessitate stronger government regulations, including incident reporting, independent evaluations, and safeguards to prevent uncontrolled operation.

He noted that current safety standards for products like washing machines and milk could serve as a foundation for AI regulation, rather than leaving companies to determine their own oversight levels.

Smith described AI as both a tool and a potential weapon, urging governments to establish safety requirements. He proposed that AI companies should have emergency brakes, known as kill switches, to halt or slow down systems if they behave unexpectedly. Smith also called for legal obligations to report incidents and inform affected individuals when AI systems malfunction. These suggestions come as concerns mount about the potential dangers posed by increasingly sophisticated AI models and autonomous agents.

The Microsoft president's stance on AI regulation differs from that of US President Donald Trump, who has prioritized the industry's self-regulation, fearing excessive restrictions could hinder American companies' competitiveness against Chinese rivals. Smith believes the UK, with its AI Security Institute and strong technical capabilities, could play a leading role in setting international AI safety standards, suggesting that Washington might be more receptive to the UK's leadership on this issue compared to the European Union.