Microsoft President: UK Best Positioned to Lead AI Regulation

Microsoft President Brad Smith has called for urgent regulation of artificial intelligence (AI), stating that consumer products like milk and washing machines face more oversight than AI companies. He characterized AI as both "a weapon and a tool" that poses risks to global cybersecurity.

Smith proposed that the United Kingdom, rather than the United States or the European Union, is best positioned to lead in establishing global safety rules for AI. He cited the UK's AI Security Institute (AISI), established in 2023, which has gained access to major models from U.S. frontier labs before their deployment, positioning the UK as a leader in AI safety testing.

Despite the AISI's strong position, Smith noted potential challenges. U.S. President Donald Trump has reportedly asked AI companies like Anthropic and OpenAI to withhold new models from British testers pending U.S. review. However, AISI confirmed on Monday that it is still able to access and test the latest models.

Smith believes the UK's regulatory approach has an advantage due to its standing in Washington, which he contrasts favorably with perceptions of Brussels. His comments align with broader concerns raised by tech leaders, including Dario Amodei of Anthropic and Sam Altman of OpenAI, regarding the rapid pace of AI development and its potential societal impacts.