Microsoft President Brad Smith has called for international regulations governing artificial intelligence, warning that AI systems face fewer safety requirements than household appliances and food products despite their growing capabilities and potential risks.
In an interview with the BBC, Smith proposed mandatory reporting of incidents involving AI systems, independent safety assessments and mechanisms allowing companies to suspend systems that operate beyond human control.
“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,” Smith said.
His position contrasts with that of President Donald Trump, who has favored industry self-regulation, arguing that excessive restrictions could weaken American technology companies in their competition with China.
Calls for Mandatory Safety Measures
Smith described AI as both a “tool and a weapon” and said governments should establish legal obligations for companies developing advanced systems.
He proposed requiring companies to notify affected individuals and organizations when autonomous AI agents cause security breaches or other incidents.
He also called for emergency shutdown mechanisms, commonly known as “kill switches,” and independent government evaluations of advanced AI products before their release.
“We know how to do this for other products,” Smith said. “We should build on that knowledge and think about how to apply it to AI.”
Smith identified the United Kingdom as a potential leader in developing international standards, citing the technical expertise of its AI Security Institute.
He suggested that Washington could be more receptive to British-led regulations than measures developed by the European Union.
White House Favors Voluntary Commitments
Trump has repeatedly emphasized the importance of American leadership in AI development and has resisted binding restrictions that could slow technological progress.
Late last month, executives from major technology companies, including OpenAI, Anthropic, Nvidia, SpaceX, Meta and Google, attended a White House meeting where they signed a voluntary agreement on AI safety.
The companies committed to working with independent auditors to assess their systems and prevent unintended activities, including unauthorized access to computer networks.
Smith welcomed the agreement and said Microsoft would be willing to sign it, but argued that voluntary commitments were insufficient.
“It’s a good step, it’s a necessary step… But I don’t think it’s sufficient any longer,” he said.
He warned that self-regulation depends on companies acting responsibly and may not adequately address risks posed by less cautious developers.
“It’s the companies that are not as responsible that you need to worry about,” Smith said.
Smith urged governments and technology companies to begin developing enforceable standards, particularly as increasingly autonomous AI systems raise concerns about cybersecurity and human oversight.
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