AI less regulated than milk, Microsoft president says in warning over safety
Microsoft President Brad Smith called for stronger AI regulation, arguing the technology is subject to fewer rules than everyday consumer goods. He backed proposals including kill switches for AI systems and legal liability protections for people harmed by rogue AI agents.
Why this matters: When a tech executive whose company is betting billions on AI starts demanding regulation, that is worth taking seriously. Smith is not calling for a slowdown. He is calling for accountability, specifically someone to be legally responsible when an AI agent causes harm. Right now, if an autonomous AI system acts on your data in a way that hurts you, the chain of liability is unclear. That gap is not an accident. It is the default when governments move slower than the industry. Smith is asking regulators to close it, which is easier to say when your company can afford compliance and your smaller competitors cannot.
Who should care: AI governance · Lawyers · Administrators · Compliance · General readers · Policy
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