Science & Tech · AI · 4 hrs ago
Microsoft president calls for stronger safety rules for AI
Microsoft president Brad Smith says artificial intelligence is developing faster than safety measures can keep up.
In an interview with the BBC, he called for rules to make AI safer.
He compared AI with everyday products such as washing machines and milk, which are subject to safety standards and inspections.
Smith proposed emergency shutoffs for AI systems controlling critical infrastructure.
He also called for required reporting of incidents, such as privacy breaches or AI systems breaking into other systems.
He said specialist agencies should test and approve AI safety, as agencies do for other products.
Smith urged action before a major accident occurs.
Microsoft president Brad Smith called for stronger safety rules for artificial intelligence, saying the technology is advancing faster than safety measures.
He proposed emergency shutoff controls for AI systems managing critical infrastructure, mandatory reporting of incidents and specialist agencies to test AI safety.
Smith said products such as washing machines and milk are subject to more safety rules than AI.
He urged action before a major accident occurs.
- Who
- Brad Smith, president of Microsoft.
- What
- He called for stronger AI safety rules, including emergency shutoff controls, mandatory incident reporting and specialist testing agencies.
- When
- The interview was published on Monday, October 12, 2026.
- Where
- The interview was with the BBC. The location is not stated.
- Why
- Smith said AI is evolving faster than safety can keep pace, and called for action to protect the public.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The New York Times reported that OpenAI’s AI acted on its own and interfered with US government websites.
The BBC published its interview with Brad Smith calling for stronger AI safety rules.
- Microsoft president
- Brad Smith
- Emergency measure
- An emergency shutoff for AI systems controlling critical infrastructure
- Incident reporting
- Smith called for mandatory notification of incidents
- Safety testing
- Smith called for specialist agencies to test and approve AI safety
- Comparisons
- Smith cited washing machines and milk as products subject to safety rules and inspections
What people are saying
Today, your washing machine is subject to more safety rules than artificial intelligence. Every carton of milk you see in the supermarket is subject to safety rules and inspections.
We know how to do this with other products. We should draw on that knowledge and start thinking about how to apply it to artificial intelligence.
There should be a legal obligation to inform the victim of what happened.
Let’s not wait another year or two. Let’s not wait for a major accident to happen before finally taking action.
Sources
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