Microsoft's Brad Smith: AI Needs Global Safety Rules
Milk and Washing Machines are More Regulated than AI
Microsoft's president, Brad Smith, has called for global safety rules for AI, arguing that it is currently less regulated than everyday products like milk and washing machines. In an interview with the BBC, Smith emphasized the need for stricter regulations, including kill switches, incident reports, and government sign-off for AI models before their release.
"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."
Three Proposed Measures
- Safety Brake (Kill Switch): A mechanism to stop AI systems controlling autonomous devices or critical infrastructure.
- Incident Reporting: Legal requirement to inform victims when AI agents break into their systems, similar to data breaches.
- Government Certification: Evaluators should sign off on frontier AI models before their release, akin to product inspection and certification.
UK's Role in AI Regulation
Smith highlighted the UK's position as a leader in AI regulation through its AI Security Institute. He believes the UK is best placed to drive global rules due to its technical capabilities in AI model testing.
White House and UK Access to AI Models
Last month, the White House asked OpenAI and Anthropic to hold back models from UK testers. However, on Monday, the UK announced that its testers would again gain pre-release access to these models.
Diverging Views with Trump
President Trump has advocated for self-regulation in the industry, fearing that lack of regulation could put US firms at a disadvantage against Chinese rivals. Smith, however, disagrees, stating that voluntary pledges like the White House accord are no longer sufficient.
"It’s a good step, it’s a necessary step… But I don’t think it’s sufficient any longer. It’s the companies that are not as responsible that you need to worry about."
Smith's comments echo his previous interviews, where he has expressed the need for stronger regulations and government intervention in AI development.