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Microsoft President Says UK Is Best Placed to Lead AI Regulation

By  |  October 13, 2026
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Microsoft President Brad Smith has called for stronger international regulation of artificial intelligence, identifying the United Kingdom as the best-positioned country to lead efforts to establish global safety standards.

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    Smith warned that voluntary commitments from technology companies are insufficient to address emerging AI risks, particularly cybersecurity threats and the growing capabilities of autonomous systems, according to an Oct. 12 report by TechCrunch.

    He argued that AI developers face fewer mandatory safety requirements than manufacturers of many everyday consumer products, underscoring the need for enforceable oversight.

    Britain’s Role in AI Safety

    Smith highlighted the UK’s AI Security Institute, established in 2023, as a key advantage in shaping international regulation. The institute works with major American AI developers to evaluate advanced models before their public release.

    According to TechCrunch, Smith also sees Britain’s close relationship with Washington as an advantage over the European Union in coordinating global AI policy.

    However, that cooperation faces challenges. The Trump administration reportedly pressured OpenAI and Anthropic in September to restrict British researchers’ access to advanced AI models.

    Britain’s AI Security Institute said Monday that it continued to have access to leading systems for safety evaluations, TechCrunch reported.

    Microsoft Calls for Mandatory Safeguards

    Smith’s comments follow a September White House meeting where major technology companies, including OpenAI, Anthropic, Google and Nvidia, supported voluntary cooperation with independent AI safety auditors.

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    While welcoming the initiative, Smith said voluntary agreements alone would not ensure consistent industry-wide protections.

    Read more: Italy Targets Microsoft Gaming Units Over Virtual Currency Practices

    He proposed mandatory reporting of serious AI-related security incidents, independent safety evaluations and emergency mechanisms to disable systems that behave dangerously.

    The recommendations reflect mounting concerns about autonomous AI agents capable of performing complex tasks with limited human supervision.

    Governments Weigh Stronger Oversight

    The debate comes as governments pursue competing approaches to AI regulation.

    The European Union has introduced comprehensive AI legislation, while Britain has emphasized safety testing and collaboration with technology developers.

    British AI Minister Kanishka Narayan said the government could consider formal regulation of advanced AI models if voluntary safety measures prove inadequate, Reuters reported.

    Smith’s intervention highlights growing pressure on policymakers to balance technological innovation with enforceable protections as AI systems become increasingly powerful.

    Source: TechCrunch