Microsoft president urges UK to lead AI regulation amid US pushback
Microsoft president Brad Smith called for urgent global AI regulation on a BBC podcast, arguing that consumer products like milk and washing machines face stricter oversight than AI systems. Smith criticized voluntary self-regulation, saying only responsible companies would comply, and warned that unchecked AI could pose cybersecurity risks and enable rogue agents.
Key points
- Smith urges UK-led global AI regulation, calling it best positioned to set safety rules
- Smith criticizes voluntary self-regulation, proposes mandatory breach alerts and kill switches
Smith proposed mandatory breach alerts, pre-release safety evaluations, and kill switches to halt AI systems if humans lose control. His comments follow recent US political pressure, including President Donald Trump’s reported request to withhold new models from British testers. Despite this, AISI confirmed continued access to the latest models. Smith also noted that the UK’s regulatory approach differs from the EU’s, leveraging its influence without the same political friction as Washington.
The story so far
7 episodes →- Microsoft president urges UK to lead AI regulation amid US pushbackthis story
Microsoft president says UK is best placed to drive AI regulation
TechCrunch AI · 12 October 2026
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