Microsoft President Brad Smith said the UK is best positioned to lead global AI regulation, emphasizing the urgent need for safety rules. Speaking on a BBC podcast, Smith highlighted that consumer products like milk and washing machines have more oversight than AI companies. He described AI as both a “weapon and a tool” that threatens global cybersecurity, stating the “moment has arrived” to implement global safety standards, according to techcrunch.com.
Smith pointed to the UK’s AI Security Institute (AISI), launched in 2023, as a key reason for Britain’s leadership role. The institute receives access to major AI models from US frontier labs before deployment and has become a leader in AI safety testing. Despite recent pushback from US President Donald Trump, who asked companies like Anthropic and OpenAI to withhold new models from British testers, AISI confirmed it continues to access and test the latest models, techcrunch.com reported.
Smith argued the UK can regulate AI in ways the US cannot, noting that Washington does not view the UK or London the same way it views Brussels. This positioning gives the UK a regulatory advantage. His remarks come amid calls from AI leaders such as Anthropic’s Dario Amodei and OpenAI’s Sam Altman to slow AI development following recent safety concerns, according to techcrunch.com.
The UK’s AI Security Institute remains a central player in AI safety, maintaining access to cutting-edge models despite geopolitical tensions. Smith’s comments highlight the UK’s unique role in shaping AI governance at a time when global safety frameworks are urgently needed, techcrunch.com stated.