Microsoft president says UK is best placed to drive AI regulation
techcrunch ·
Microsoft President Brad Smith has called for urgent global regulation of artificial intelligence, arguing that AI currently lacks the oversight applied to consumer goods like washing machines. Speaking on a BBC podcast, Smith described AI as both a weapon and a tool that poses significant cybersecurity risks, urging the implementation of international safety rules. He identified the United Kingdom as the ideal leader for this regulatory effort, citing its established AI Security Institute and political distance from U.S. domestic pressures. This stance comes despite recent warnings from President Donald Trump against 'globalist' organizations and alleged attempts to restrict model access for British testers. While tech leaders have signed a voluntary safety document with the White House, Smith contends that self-regulation is insufficient because it only encourages responsible companies to comply. He advocates for mandatory measures such as breach notifications, external evaluator approvals before product release, and emergency kill-switches. Smith concludes by hoping Microsoft and the UK can collaborate to bring together stakeholders in a calm but firm manner to address these critical issues.
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