Microsoft President Backs UK to Lead AI Regulation

Microsoft president Brad Smith is urging urgent AI regulation, arguing consumer products like milk and washing machines face more oversight than AI companies. Speaking on a BBC podcast, Smith called AI a weapon and tool threatening global cybersecurity and said the moment has arrived for global safety rules. He named the UK, not the US or EU, as best placed to lead, citing its AI Security Institute's access to frontier models before deployment. Smith dismissed a recent White House voluntary agreement as insufficient, warning that only responsible companies comply with self-regulation, and outlined proposals including breach alerts, pre-release evaluations, and AI kill switches.