(Photo by Anadolu)
ISTANBUL – Microsoft President Brad Smith has urged governments to impose stricter safety regulations on artificial intelligence (AI), warning that the rapidly advancing technology faces fewer safeguards than ordinary household products.
Speaking on the BBC’s Big Boss Interview podcast released Sunday, Smith pointed out that washing machines and even cartons of milk undergo more stringent safety checks and inspections than AI systems.
He described AI as both a “tool and a weapon,” emphasizing the need for stronger oversight as increasingly powerful systems pose potential risks to public safety and cybersecurity.
Smith called for emergency shutdown mechanisms, commonly known as “kill switches,” that would allow developers to suspend or slow AI systems if they operate beyond human control.
He also proposed mandatory reporting of dangerous AI incidents, including requirements for technology companies to notify individuals who may be affected.
Another key recommendation was the introduction of independent government assessments to evaluate the safety and potential risks of newly developed AI technologies before their widespread deployment.
“We know how to do this for other products,” Smith said, urging policymakers to apply established safety standards to emerging technologies.
His remarks come amid growing international discussions over whether advanced AI development should be slowed until stronger regulatory safeguards are established.
Smith warned that incidents involving AI agents operating beyond human control and increasingly powerful models threatening global cybersecurity demonstrate the urgency of government intervention.
“The moment has arrived,” he said, stressing the need for immediate action to address the risks associated with advanced AI.
