AI is less regulated than milk, says Microsoft president
Microsoft President Brad Smith has called for international regulation of artificial intelligence, arguing that AI currently operates under far fewer legal constraints than basic consumer goods. He identified the UK as well-positioned to lead that regulatory effort.
Why this matters: The comparison is pointed. Milk has safety standards, labeling rules, and someone legally responsible if it harms you. AI, which can influence hiring, credit, medical care, and elections, mostly does not. Smith is not a neutral voice here — Microsoft sells AI products and shapes what regulation looks like. But the core point holds. When the people building the technology are the loudest ones calling for rules, it usually means the rules being proposed suit them. Watch what kind of regulation gets pushed, not just that regulation is coming.
Who should care: Lawyers · Compliance · General readers · AI governance · Policy
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