Microsoft President Brad Smith Urges UK to Lead Global AI Regulation
Brad Smith argues the UK is best positioned to enforce AI safety rules, citing greater oversight than in the US or EU.
Key points
- Microsoft President Brad Smith calls for urgent AI regulation, noting consumer goods have more oversight than AI firms.
- Smith identifies the UK as the best candidate to lead global safety rules, praising the AI Security Institute.
- Tech leaders signed a voluntary safety document at the White House, which Smith says is insufficient without legal mandates.
Microsoft President Brad Smith is calling for urgent global regulation of artificial intelligence, arguing that consumer products like milk and washing machines currently face more oversight than the companies building AI systems. Speaking on a recent BBC podcast, Smith stated that the moment has arrived to institute global safety rules to protect cybersecurity.
Smith described AI as both a weapon and a tool that puts the world’s cybersecurity at risk. He emphasized that current voluntary measures are inadequate and that legal frameworks are necessary to ensure responsible development. His comments align with recent calls from other tech leaders to slow the pace of AI development following incidents involving rogue AI agents.
UK Leadership in AI Safety
Brad Smith argued that the United Kingdom is best placed to lead on global AI safety rules, rather than the United States or the European Union. He pointed to the UK’s AI Security Institute (AISI), launched in 2023, which receives access to major models from US frontier labs before deployment. Smith noted that the UK’s approach is viewed differently in Washington compared to Brussels, which he identified as a strategic strength for regulation.
The role of the AISI has faced recent political pressure. US President Donald Trump warned against “globalist” organizations interfering with American companies. Last month, Trump reportedly asked Anthropic and OpenAI to withhold new models from British testers. However, the AISI confirmed on Monday that it retains the ability to access and test the latest models despite the pushback.
Industry Response and Voluntary Measures
Smith’s comments follow a White House meeting last month where President Trump hosted tech leaders from OpenAI, Anthropic, Nvidia, AMD, SpaceX, Meta, and Google. These leaders signed a “morally binding” document agreeing to work with independent auditors to assess the safety and capabilities of their AI models. Smith called this document a “good step” but argued it stops short of the necessary regulation.
He criticized voluntary self-regulation, stating that only “good companies” will comply with such measures. Smith argued that regulators must focus on companies that are not as responsible, as they pose the greatest risk. He outlined specific safety rules he wants to see implemented, including a legal obligation for organizations to alert authorities if their systems are breached by rogue AI agents.
What should you do?
Security professionals should monitor developments in AI regulation, particularly the actions of the UK’s AI Security Institute and potential US policy shifts. Organizations using AI should review their current compliance with voluntary safety frameworks and prepare for stricter legal requirements. Watch for updates on model testing protocols and auditor engagements.
What to do and how to stay safe: Microsoft
- Review internal AI usage policies to ensure they align with emerging safety standards and audit requirements.
- Monitor official communications from the UK AI Security Institute and US regulatory bodies for new mandates.
- Establish clear protocols for detecting and reporting incidents involving rogue AI agents or unauthorized model behavior.
- Engage with independent auditors to assess the safety and capabilities of deployed AI models proactively.
Step-by-step guide: Prompt Injection Warning Signs: How to Spot AI Manipulation
General security guidance from the Threat Times newsroom. It is not confirmed advice from the organisations named in this story.
Frequently asked questions
Why does Brad Smith think the UK should lead AI regulation?
Smith believes the UK is best placed because its AI Security Institute tests models before deployment and is viewed differently in Washington than EU regulators.
Did US President Trump block US companies from sharing models with the UK?
Trump reportedly asked Anthropic and OpenAI to withhold models, but the UK’s AI Security Institute confirmed it can still access and test them.
What specific rule did Smith propose for AI safety?
Smith proposed a legal obligation requiring organizations to alert authorities if their systems are breached by rogue AI agents.
