Microsoft President Warns AI Safety Rules Are Lacking

Microsoft’s president, Brad Smith, has expressed concerns about the lack of regulation in artificial intelligence. In an interview with the BBC’s Big Boss Interview podcast on October 11th, he drew a surprising comparison to everyday products like milk and washing machines.

The dairy aisle may not seem like an obvious place to discuss AI safety, but it offers a useful analogy for how technology should be regulated. Smith pointed out that these common household items are subject to more stringent safety rules than increasingly powerful AI systems.

Smith’s proposed protections go beyond asking companies to promise their technology is safe. He wants legal requirements for companies to report safety incidents and notify victims when rogue AI agents breach their systems. Additionally, he called for ‘emergency brakes’ that could pause or slow AI systems, as well as rules determining when independent evaluators should review new technology before its release.

The Microsoft president emphasized the importance of applying existing knowledge to AI regulation. He noted that we know how to regulate other products and suggested building on this expertise to create effective safety standards for AI. Smith’s comments echo recent warnings from Bill Gates, who has also pushed for stronger AI protections.

However, not everyone agrees with Smith’s approach. Some experts caution that companies can support safeguards while still seeking control over how those safeguards work. Pete Furlong, senior manager of policy and research at the Center for Humane Technology, told Mashable that transparency efforts need to come with expectations beyond those set by companies themselves.

Smith suggested that the UK could play a key role in developing global AI safety rules. He pointed out the technical expertise of its AI Security Institute, which already has access to major AI models through voluntary agreements. The institute assesses their capabilities and risks before deployment, providing valuable insights for policymakers.