Microsoft president Brad Smith told ITV that AI is subject to fewer safety rules than everyday consumer goods, comparing it to a carton of milk or a washing machine. He argued that current oversight is inadequate given the risks AI poses to cybersecurity and national security.
The US approach has so far favored voluntary measures. At a recent summit, leaders from major AI companies signed a pact endorsing self-regulation, safeguards, and independent auditors. Critics dismissed the pact as letting firms define what counts as safety themselves.
Smith said the lack of US action creates an opening for the UK to lead on AI regulation, noting that Washington does not view London the way it views Brussels. He urged the UK to seize the moment, saying the time has arrived for stronger rules on powerful models.