Microsoft President Brad Smith has called for urgent global rules governing artificial intelligence, warning that the rapidly developing technology currently faces fewer safety requirements than everyday products such as milk and washing machines.
In an interview with the BBC, Smith said AI companies should be required to report incidents involving rogue AI agents, inform people when their systems are breached and provide emergency mechanisms to stop or slow AI systems that behave unexpectedly.
“Right now, your washing machine is subject to more safety rules than AI,” Smith said, adding that every carton of milk sold in grocery stores is subject to safety rules and inspection.
Smith also called for independent evaluators to assess certain AI systems before they are released, particularly as increasingly powerful AI agents gain access to sensitive information and computer systems.
He argued that voluntary industry commitments are no longer sufficient and urged governments to establish common international safety standards.
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Smith identified Britain as being well positioned to help lead global AI safety efforts because of its AI Security Institute, which works with major technology companies to evaluate advanced AI models before deployment.
His comments come amid growing concern over increasingly autonomous AI systems and reports of unexpected or rogue behaviour from AI agents developed by companies including Anthropic and OpenAI.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has also called for AI systems to have an “emergency brake” that would allow authorized users to pause or shut down a model if necessary.
The debate highlights a growing challenge for governments: how to encourage rapid AI innovation while ensuring that increasingly powerful systems are developed with adequate safeguards, accountability and public protection.