Milk is more regulated than AI, Microsoft’s Brad Smith tells the BBC

What happened

He set out his case on the BBC’s Big Boss Interview podcast with Will Bain, released on 11 October. Microsoft’s president, Brad Smith, has called for global safety rules for AI. Microsoft is a software and software development company based in Redmond.

They include a legal duty to tell victims when a rogue AI agent (AI that carries out multi-step tasks rather than answering one question) breaks into their systems. Microsoft Milk is more regulated than AI, Microsoft’s Brad Smith tells the BBC Smith wants kill switches, incident reports and government sign-off before release.

He said voluntary pledges such as the White House accord are a good step, but no longer enough. October 13, 2026 - 11:20 am Microsoft’s president, Brad Smith, has called for global safety rules for AI.

Smith told the BBC : “Right now, your washing machine is subject to more safety rules than AI. Every carton of milk that you see in the grocery store is subject to safety rules and inspection.” Smith called AI both a “tool and a weapon”.

He said AI is moving forward “faster than the speed of safety”. That, he said, is not good for the public or for the industry itself. Three measures The first measure is a “safety brake or emergency brake”, often called a kill switch.

Key facts

• He set out his case on the BBC’s Big Boss Interview podcast with Will Bain, — released: on 11 October