Microsoft President Urges UK to Lead Global AI Regulation

Microsoft President Brad Smith is calling for international rules to govern artificial intelligence, arguing that the technology needs stronger safety protections and independent oversight. Speaking to the BBC's Big Boss Interview, Smith urged the United Kingdom to lead the effort, citing its technical capabilities and AI Security Institute.

Smith said AI systems should face safeguards comparable to those governing everyday consumer products. He proposed legal requirements for companies to report serious incidents, notify affected individuals when AI systems behave dangerously, and allow independent evaluators to assess certain products before release.

Smith illustrated the gap between existing product regulations and AI oversight with a comparison to household goods and food.

"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.

He described artificial intelligence as a "tool and a weapon" and called for immediate action. He also advocated "emergency brakes" that would allow companies to pause or slow systems if they became uncontrollable.

Smith said companies should face legal obligations to produce "incident reports" and inform people affected by rogue AI systems. He also argued that independent government evaluators should review new AI technology before it reaches the market.

Explaining why existing regulatory experience could help shape AI oversight, Smith said established approaches could provide a starting point for policymakers.

"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 strong candidate to lead international efforts, pointing to the AI Security Institute, which began under former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's government as the AI Safety Institute.

Assessing the country's technical standing, Smith said:

"In the world of technology, in the tech sector, most people that I know would say, if you ask them, name the country that is the leader in having this technical capability, they would say, it's very simple. It's the United Kingdom. They are the best."

Smith's position differs from that of President Donald Trump, who has argued that the United States should prioritize rapid AI development to maintain its competitive position against China. Trump has repeatedly declared that "whoever wins AI, wins" and has opposed regulatory approaches that he believes could disadvantage American companies.

Smith nevertheless suggested that Washington could be more receptive to British-led standards than to rules developed by the European Union. He argued that the United Kingdom's relationship with US policymakers could help bring countries together around common safeguards.

Warning that increasingly powerful systems could pose serious risks, Smith said:

"When you look at AI agents that have escaped human control, when you look at models that are so powerful that they're putting the world's cybersecurity at risk. I would say: The moment has arrived. Let's speak calmly, maybe even softly, but firmly, and start to bring people together.

I hope that's the role we can play as a company. I hope that's the role the UK can play as a country."

At the end of September, Trump hosted executives from OpenAI, Anthropic, Nvidia, SpaceX, Meta, and Google at the White House. According to the BBC, the executives signed a "morally binding" document committing their companies to work with "independent auditors" to assess whether their AI systems operate as intended and do not "hack or access technical systems in unintended ways".

Smith welcomed the initiative and indicated that Microsoft was willing to participate. He said the agreement represented progress but argued that voluntary commitments alone would not provide sufficient safeguards.

"It's a good step, it's a necessary step... But I don't think it's sufficient any longer."

Smith said voluntary oversight has limitations because companies vary in their willingness to follow responsible practices. He emphasized that regulation must also address businesses that do not adopt adequate safeguards.

Describing the limitations of a "self-regulatory regime", Smith said:

"The good companies will do what you want".

He stressed that oversight must account for companies that fail to meet the same standards.

"It's the companies that are not as responsible that you need to worry about."