AI is less regulated than milk, says Microsoft president
Microsoft President Brad Smith has argued that AI currently lacks sufficient safety regulations compared to everyday consumer goods like milk or washing machines. He advocates for global safety rules, including 'kill switches' and independent government oversight, despite opposition from some US political figures.
Why it matters
The debate over AI regulation is intensifying as industry leaders call for government intervention to manage the risks of rapidly advancing technology.
Image source, Bloomberg via Getty Images By Mitchell Labiak Business reporter Published 7 minutes ago Milk and washing machines are currently more regulated than AI, the president of Microsoft has said.
Brad Smith said there needed to be global safety rules in place, including a legal obligation to tell a "victim" if their system is breached by a rogue AI agent as well as deciding when outside evaluators should sign off on an AI product before it is released.
His comments put him at odds with President Donald Trump, who said the sector should regulate itself so US firms don't lose out to Chinese rivals.
But Smith said: "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."
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in