Microsoft President Calls for Global AI Rules, Citing Industry's Rapid Progress

Brad Smith, president of Microsoft, has expressed concerns about the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) and its potential risks to public safety. Speaking on BBC’s Big Boss Interview, Mr. Smith emphasized that industry self-regulation is no longer sufficient in this area. He noted that AI is advancing faster than ever before, with a pace that outstrips the development of safeguards.

In his 33 years in the industry, Mr. Smith has seen numerous generations of digital technology come and go. However, he believes that AI poses unique challenges due to its potential for widespread impact on society. Microsoft, as one of the world’s largest AI developers, is an investor in OpenAI, further highlighting the importance of addressing these concerns.

Mr. Smith proposed three measures to address the issue: a ‘safety brake’ or emergency stop mechanism for autonomous devices and critical infrastructure; mandatory reporting of incidents involving rogue AI agents; and government evaluation before releasing frontier models. He emphasized that current regulations are inadequate, citing examples such as washing machines being subject to more safety rules than AI systems.

The UK is seen by Mr. Smith as the country best positioned to lead in developing global AI standards. The AI Security Institute has a strong technical capability for testing AI models, and he believes Britain can serve as a bridge between Europe and North America. He noted that while the US initially began building similar capabilities, it later slowed down.

Mr. Smith also addressed criticism from Vice President JD Vance regarding Microsoft’s use of H-1B visas. Mr. Smith disputed these claims, stating that about 80% of their visa applications are for existing employees and every green card applicant is already employed by the company. He added that Microsoft hired over 9,000 Americans last year.