Microsoft President Calls for Urgent AI Regulation
Brad Smith says AI faces fewer safety rules than milk and washing machines.
AI-assisted coverage comparison, editor-supervised · How this was made
FILE PHOTO: Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith addresses a keynote in Brussels, Belgium April 30, 2025. REUTERS/Yves Herman/File Photo
Photograph: Channel News Asia (embedded from source)
What this story says
- Microsoft President Brad Smith stated that artificial intelligence is subject to fewer safety regulations than milk and washing machines.
- Smith called for urgent global regulation of AI, including independent evaluators and mandatory incident reports.
- He suggested that Britain is well-placed to lead on AI regulation due to its AI Security Institute.
- Some companies have called for a slowdown in AI development, sparking debate about potential ulterior motives.
Who covered it
Percentages are shares of the 44 outlets carrying a published leaning rating. 58 of the 102 outlets we know ran this story carry no rating and are not counted in them. Coverage measured .
Trust
42/100
Craft
61/100
Hype
41/100
102 sources · methodology
Microsoft President Brad Smith has called for urgent global regulation of artificial intelligence, stating that AI currently faces fewer safety requirements than everyday products like milk and washing machines. In an interview with the BBC, Smith advocated for global safety rules that would include mandatory incident reports and independent evaluators to vet new AI developments. He suggested that Britain is well-placed to lead on AI regulation due to its AI Security Institute.
Smith's comments come amid a broader debate about the rapid advancement of AI. Some companies have called for a slowdown in AI development, a stance that has sparked discussion about potential ulterior motives, such as preserving a company's lead or pre-empting government backlash. Smith indicated that voluntary industry self-regulation is no longer sufficient.
Disagreement on regulation approach
While Brad Smith called for urgent global regulation, some reports noted differing approaches. Channel News Asia reported that Washington views London's approach differently to Brussels, which regulates AI based on risk level via its AI Act. Bizpac Review and The Daily Caller mentioned that Microsoft's executive was breaking with President Donald Trump on how to keep AI in check, with Trump's recent proposal only scratching the surface. Delo.si noted that Trump opposes efforts to slow AI development.
What the coverage left out
None of the left-rated reports below mention the specific role of the AI Security Institute in Britain, which was highlighted by Channel News Asia. None of the right-rated reports below mention the specific role of the AI Security Institute in Britain, which was highlighted by Channel News Asia.
Still developing. We have re-checked which outlets are covering this 3 times, most recently on 12 Oct 2026, 21:30, and will add the sides that appear.
How each side covered it
Our own reading of the reporting listed below, written from the outlets’ articles rather than quoted from them. The reasoning is set out on our methodology page.
Left
11 rated outlets
- Left-rated reports led with Microsoft President Brad Smith's statement that AI is less regulated than milk and washing machines. These reports highlighted his call for urgent global regulation, including mandatory incident reports and independent evaluators. Several outlets, such as Spiegel and Gizmodo, used headlines directly quoting Smith's comparison of AI safety rules to those for household appliances. Telegrafi and The American Bazaar specifically mentioned the need for "emergency shutdown mechanisms" and mandatory incident reports. Delo.si and Dnevni list Danas noted Smith's stance in contrast to that of Donald Trump.
Centre
13 rated outlets
- Centre-rated reports focused on Brad Smith's call for urgent AI regulation and his comparison of AI safety rules to those for milk and washing machines. Channel News Asia and Jornal Expresso noted Smith's description of AI as a tool and weapon needing regulation that preserves human control. TechCrunch and The Hill highlighted Smith's view that the UK is well-placed to lead AI regulation. Quartz and The Hill mentioned Smith's specific proposals, including "emergency brakes" and mandatory incident reports. El Diario stated that AI needs urgent global regulation with independent evaluators.
Right
20 rated outlets
- Right-rated reports also led with Microsoft President Brad Smith's comparison of AI regulation to that of milk and washing machines. Headlines in Le Figaro and Expressen directly referenced this comparison. Bizpac Review and The Daily Caller noted that Smith's comments contrasted with President Donald Trump's approach to AI regulation, with Bizpac Review and The Daily Caller stating that Trump's recent proposal "only scratched the surface." Latestly mentioned Smith's call for legally binding AI safety rules and identified the UK as well-placed to lead global regulation. Globo reported that AI faces fewer safety rules than milk and needs urgent regulation.
Questions about this coverage
- How did the left and right cover Microsoft President Calls for Urgent AI Regulation?
- Of the 44 outlets on this story carrying a published leaning rating, 25% are rated left, 29% are rated centre, 46% are rated right. Those percentages are shares of the rated outlets, not of every outlet that ran it, which was 102. The sections above set out what each side emphasised, in its own terms.
- Is Microsoft President Calls for Urgent AI Regulation left or right?
- Neither side dominates it. Of the 44 rated outlets on this story, 25% are rated left, 29% are rated centre, 46% are rated right, and no side holds the 70% this site would want before calling a field one-sided. A story is not left or right in any case; the outlets that carried it are what carry ratings.
- Is the coverage of Microsoft President Calls for Urgent AI Regulation biased?
- Microsoft President Calls for Urgent AI Regulation is one event reported by 102 outlets, and this page does not rate the story as biased or unbiased. What it publishes is the spread: which outlets ran it, where named rating organisations place each of them on the spectrum, and what each side chose to lead with. A leaning rating describes an outlet's record over time, not this article, and the two should not be run together.
- Which outlets covered Microsoft President Calls for Urgent AI Regulation?
- 102 that we know of, every one of them listed further up this page with a link to its own report and to what we hold on the publisher. Nothing here is a summary of somebody else's summary: the outlets are named so the original reporting can be read.
- What did Microsoft President Brad Smith say about AI regulation?
- Brad Smith stated that artificial intelligence currently faces fewer safety requirements than everyday products like milk and washing machines. He called for urgent global regulation, including mandatory incident reports and independent evaluators to vet new AI developments.
- What specific regulations did Brad Smith propose for AI?
- Smith advocated for global safety rules that would include mandatory incident reports for companies and independent evaluators to vet new AI developments. He also suggested the need for "emergency brakes" and a legal requirement to inform victims if their systems are breached by rogue AI agents.
- Which country did Brad Smith suggest could lead on AI regulation?
- Brad Smith suggested that Britain is well-placed to lead on AI regulation, citing its AI Security Institute. He noted that officials in Washington view London's approach differently to Brussels, which regulates AI based on risk level via its AI Act.
Read it at the source
102 outlets, grouped by the leaning a published rating gives them. Every headline links to the original; an underlined outlet name opens our profile of that publisher.
Left
11- Microsoft President Brad Smith Considers Washing Machines to Be Better Regulated than AI (opens Spiegel in a new tab)
- Washing Machines and Milk Are Subject to More Safety Regulations than AI – Says Microsoft President (opens Telegrafi in a new tab)
- Even Milk Is Subject to Stricter Controls than AI, Microsoft Boss Rants (opens Novinky.cz in a new tab)
Novinky.cz — is Novinky.cz biased? Our profile of this outletOpinion
- Microsoft President Says Milk and Washing Machines Face More Safety Regulations Than AI (opens Gizmodo in a new tab)
- More Control over Milk than Artificial Intelligence, Says Microsoft Director (opens Dnevni list Danas in a new tab)
Dnevni list Danas — is Dnevni list Danas biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Microsoft’s Brad Smith calls for global AI safety rules, says milk faces more regulation than AI (opens The American Bazaar in a new tab)
The American Bazaar — is The American Bazaar biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Warning From Microsoft Tip, Which Requires a "Kill Switch" for AI - HotNews.ro Models (opens Hot News in a new tab)
- Microsoft Vice President: AI Subject to Fewer Safety Rules Than a Washing Machine (opens TVN24.pl in a new tab)
Show 3 more
- Microsoft's president says AI is less regulated than a carton of milk (opens Engadget in a new tab)
- When Milk Is More Regulated than Artificial Intelligence (opens delo.si in a new tab)
delo.si — is delo.si biased? Our profile of this outletOpinion
- Microsoft CEO: AI Is Less Regulated than Milk, We Need Urgent Solutions (opens IndexHR in a new tab)
IndexHR — is IndexHR biased? Our profile of this outletOpinion
Centre
13- President of Microsoft Advocates More Regulation for AI: "Each Milk Packaging" Is Subject to More Safety Rules (opens Jornal Expresso in a new tab)
Jornal Expresso — is Jornal Expresso biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Microsoft's CEO: "AI Is Under Supervision From the Proizvodnje Mljeka" (opens Novi list in a new tab)
- They Warn that Milk Is More Regulated than AI (opens El Diario in a new tab)
El Diario — is El Diario biased? Our profile of this outletOpinion
- Microsoft president: AI faces fewer safety requirements than milk, washing machines (opens The Hill in a new tab)
- Microsoft president says UK is best placed to drive AI regulation (opens TechCrunch in a new tab)
TechCrunch — is TechCrunch biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Microsoft president Brad Smith calls for global AI safety rules (opens Quartz in a new tab)
- ‘AI is less regulated than milk’: Why Microsoft president wants tougher safety rules (opens Hindustan Times in a new tab)
Hindustan Times — is Hindustan Times biased? Our profile of this outlet
- 'Milk faces more regulation than AI,' emergency brakes must be implemented, says Microsoft pres. (opens Jerusalem Post in a new tab)
Jerusalem Post — is Jerusalem Post biased? Our profile of this outletOpinion
Show 5 more
- Microsoft president says milk faces more regulation than AI - BusinessWorld Online (opens bworldonline.com in a new tab)
bworldonline.com — is bworldonline.com biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Milk faces more regulation than AI - Microsoft president (opens RTÉ in a new tab)
- Microsoft president says milk faces more regulation than AI (opens Channel News Asia in a new tab)
Channel News Asia — is Channel News Asia biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Microsoft President Warns AI Is Less Regulated Than Milk, Washing Machines as He Pushes Governments Towar (opens Benzinga in a new tab)
- AI is less regulated than milk, Microsoft president says (opens BBC News in a new tab)
Right
20- "Bricks of Milk Are Subject to More Controls": Microsoft President Calls for the Development of Artificial Intelligence (opens Le Figaro in a new tab)
- Microsoft Chairman: AI Is Less Regulated than Milk (opens Expressen in a new tab)
Expressen — is Expressen biased? Our profile of this outletOpinion
- Microsoft boss says ‘every carton of milk’ faces more safety rules than AI (opens Bizpac Review in a new tab)
Bizpac Review — is Bizpac Review biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Tech Giant Boss Says ‘Every Carton Of Milk’ Faces More Safety Rules Than AI (opens The Daily Caller in a new tab)
The Daily Caller — is The Daily Caller biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Microsoft boss says ‘every carton of milk’ faces more safety rules than AI - The Daily Bo Snerdley (opens thedailybs.com in a new tab)
thedailybs.com — is thedailybs.com biased? Our profile of this outletOpinion
- Microsoft President Brad Smith Urges Strict Global AI Regulation | 📲 LatestLY (opens Latestly in a new tab)
- AI Faces Fewer Safety Rules than Milk and Needs Urgent Regulation, Says Microsoft (opens Globo in a new tab)
- Microsoft President Says AI Is Less Regulated than a Milk Package (opens Sapo in a new tab)
Show 12 more
- Microsoft president Brad Smith 'shows mirror' to everyone against AI regulation; says: Right now your washing machine and every carton of milk you buy is more ... (opens Times of India in a new tab)
Times of India — is Times of India biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Washing machines more regulated than AI, says Microsoft boss (opens The Telegraph in a new tab)
The Telegraph — is The Telegraph biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Microsoft President Says Washing Machines, Milk Face More Safety Rules than AI (opens Anadolu Ajansı in a new tab)
Anadolu Ajansı — is Anadolu Ajansı biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Microsoft President Says that Clothing and Milk Machines Have "More Safety Rules than AI" (opens Observador in a new tab)
Observador — is Observador biased? Our profile of this outlet
- AI: Microsoft President Smith Calls for Stricter Regulation of AI (opens Handelsblatt in a new tab)
Handelsblatt — is Handelsblatt biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Microsoft President Smith: Milk Is Being Controlled More Strictly than AI (opens Die Presse in a new tab)
Die Presse — is Die Presse biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Milk faces more regulation than AI, Microsoft president says (opens Daily Sabah in a new tab)
Daily Sabah — is Daily Sabah biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Microsoft CEO Calls for More AI Regulation (opens Jyllands-Posten in a new tab)
Jyllands-Posten — is Jyllands-Posten biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Microsoft Has Been Called to Report an AWOL I.E. (opens vz.ru in a new tab)
- Microsoft CEO Calls for More AI Regulation (opens berlingske.dk in a new tab)
berlingske.dk — is berlingske.dk biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Microsoft President Warns: Increased Regulation of AI Is Needed (opens BT in a new tab)
- Microsoft president reveals a surprising gap in AI regulation (opens The News in a new tab)
Not rated
58- Microsoft CEO: Even Milk and Washing Machines Are More Regulated than Artificial Intelligence (opens economx.hu in a new tab)
economx.hu — is economx.hu biased? Our profile of this outletOpinion
- AI LESS REGULATED THAN MILK AND WASHING MACHINES, WARNS MICROSOFT PRESIDENT (opens independentpress.cc in a new tab)
independentpress.cc — is independentpress.cc biased? Our profile of this outlet
- The President of Microsoft Releases that the Regulation of AI Is Looser than that of a Carton of Milk (opens Qué! in a new tab)
- Microsoft’s President: The Regulation of Artificial Intelligence Is More Lax than that of Milk Carton (opens Moncloa in a new tab)
Moncloa — is Moncloa biased? Our profile of this outletOpinion
- Artificial Intelligence Gets Out of Control of the Rules. Microsoft Calls for Urgent Action (opens Aktual24 in a new tab)
- President of Microsoft Defends Global Regulation of AI (opens Revista Oeste in a new tab)
Revista Oeste — is Revista Oeste biased? Our profile of this outlet
- More Control over Milk than Artificial Intelligence, Says Microsoft Director (opens vijesti.me in a new tab)
vijesti.me — is vijesti.me biased? Our profile of this outlet
- AI is less regulated than milk, says Microsoft president (opens KahawaTungu in a new tab)
KahawaTungu — is KahawaTungu biased? Our profile of this outlet
Show 50 more
- Microsoft President Brad Smith Calls for U.K. AI Safety Rules (opens TokenPost in a new tab)
- BBC: AI is less regulated than milk, says Microsoft president (opens ResearchBuzz in a new tab)
ResearchBuzz — is ResearchBuzz biased? Our profile of this outlet
- They Warn that Milk Is More Regulated than AI (opens eldiariodechihuahua.mx in a new tab)
eldiariodechihuahua.mx — is eldiariodechihuahua.mx biased? Our profile of this outlet
- President of Microsoft Says Milk Has More Regulations Than IA (opens Forbes Brasil in a new tab)
Forbes Brasil — is Forbes Brasil biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Milk and Washing Machines, More Regulated than A.I. (opens Aleph News in a new tab)
Aleph News — is Aleph News biased? Our profile of this outletOpinion
- Washing machines more regulated than AI, warns Microsoft President (opens Tech Digest in a new tab)
Tech Digest — is Tech Digest biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Microsoft: "The Milk Packages Are More Regulated than AI" (opens Noticias ao Minuto in a new tab)
Noticias ao Minuto — is Noticias ao Minuto biased? Our profile of this outletOpinion
- Smith (Microsoft): Artificial Intelligence Is Less Controlled than… Milk - ONLARISSA.GR News Larissa (opens onlarissa.gr in a new tab)
onlarissa.gr — is onlarissa.gr biased? Our profile of this outletOpinion
- Microsoft President Calls for AI Regulation and Legal Obligations for Stand-Alone Systems Out of Control (opens Gândul in a new tab)
- Microsoft President Argues AI Less Regulated Than Washing Machines (opens PYMNTS.com in a new tab)
PYMNTS.com — is PYMNTS.com biased? Our profile of this outlet
- AI Is Less Regulated than Milk. Microsoft President Insists on More Measures (opens Correio da Manhã in a new tab)
Correio da Manhã — is Correio da Manhã biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Microsoft president Brad Smith ‘shows mirror’ to everyone against AI regulation; says: Right now your washing machine and every carton of milk you buy is more … (opens PressNewsAgency in a new tab)
PressNewsAgency — is PressNewsAgency biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Milk and Washing Machine Have More Rules than AI, Says President of Microsoft (opens infomoney.com.br in a new tab)
infomoney.com.br — is infomoney.com.br biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Microsoft President Brad Smith Says Milk Is More Regulated than AI (opens El Economista in a new tab)
El Economista — is El Economista biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Microsoft president calls for more AI regulation, claims milk more "regulated" than AI (opens Cryptocurrency News in a new tab)
Cryptocurrency News — is Cryptocurrency News biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Microsoft CEO: Milk and Washing Machines Are Subject to More Regulations than AI (opens insider.gr in a new tab)
insider.gr — is insider.gr biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Microsoft President Urgently Calls for 'Global Regulation on Artificial Intelligence' (opens Naftemporiki in a new tab)
Naftemporiki — is Naftemporiki biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Microsoft: "Milk and Washing Machines Have Stricter Rules than Artificial Intelligence" (opens LiFO in a new tab)
- The Washing Machine Has More Requirements than the I.I., as Stated by Microsoft's Head. (opens 1prime.ru in a new tab)
- UK best placed to lead on global AI safety rules, Microsoft president says (opens Nation.Cymru in a new tab)
Nation.Cymru — is Nation.Cymru biased? Our profile of this outlet
- 'Your washing machine is subject to more safety rules than AI' says Microsoft president (opens pcgamer in a new tab)
- Brad Smith Warns the AI Has Fewer Controls than a Box of Milk. (opens DiarioBitcoin in a new tab)
DiarioBitcoin — is DiarioBitcoin biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Microsoft President Says What's Happening Around AI Is Unsustainable: Even Washing Machines Are Regulated More Strictly (opens Pénzcentrum in a new tab)
Pénzcentrum — is Pénzcentrum biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Microsoft Pres Says Milk Is More Regulated Than AI, Satya Nadella Urges An Emergency Brake (opens HotHardware in a new tab)
HotHardware — is HotHardware biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Microsoft Boss: Washing Machine Has More Safety Rules than Artificial Intelligence (opens poslovni.hr in a new tab)
poslovni.hr — is poslovni.hr biased? Our profile of this outletOpinion
- "Right now, your washing machine is subject to more safety rules than AI": Microsoft's Brad Smith wants more AI kill switches (opens IT PRO in a new tab)
- Microsoft President Brad Smith Says Milk Must Comply with More Regulations than Artificial Intelligence (opens Financial Intelligence in a new tab)
Financial Intelligence — is Financial Intelligence biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Milk Faces More Regulation than AI, Says President of Microsoft (opens CNN Brasil in a new tab)
CNN Brasil — is CNN Brasil biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Microsoft CEO: Milk Safety Rules Are Stricter than AI (opens Capital.gr in a new tab)
Capital.gr — is Capital.gr biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Chief Microsoft, Surprising Statement About AI: "Washing Machines Are Subject to More Safety Rules (opens Stirile Pro TV in a new tab)
Stirile Pro TV — is Stirile Pro TV biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Microsoft Calls for Tighter Controls on AI 'Less Regulated than the Dairy Industry' (opens srpskainfo.com in a new tab)
srpskainfo.com — is srpskainfo.com biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Microsoft President Calls for Stricter Regulation of Artificial Intelligence (opens banker.bg in a new tab)
- Microsoft Warns: AI Is Less Regulated than Milk or Washing Machines (opens Telegraf in a new tab)
- Microsoft Calls for Global Security Rules for AI - 12/10/2026 (opens Folha de S.Paulo in a new tab)
Folha de S.Paulo — is Folha de S.Paulo biased? Our profile of this outlet
- AI less regulated than milk, Microsoft president says in warning over safety (opens online-listing.com in a new tab)
online-listing.com — is online-listing.com biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Microsoft CEO Calls for More AI Regulation (opens avisendanmark.dk in a new tab)
avisendanmark.dk — is avisendanmark.dk biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Microsoft CEO Calls for More AI Regulation (opens Kristeligt Dagblad in a new tab)
Kristeligt Dagblad — is Kristeligt Dagblad biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Microsoft CEO Issues Urgent Warning: Artificial Intelligence Is Less Regulated than Milk in the Supermarket. (opens turkiyegazetesi.com.tr in a new tab)
turkiyegazetesi.com.tr — is turkiyegazetesi.com.tr biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Artificial Intelligence Is Less Regulated than Milk, Says President Microsoft. Smith Demands Tougher Rules (opens Adevarul in a new tab)
- BBC.COM * BUSINESS: "AI IS LESS REGULATED THAN MILK, SAYS MICROSOFT PRESIDENT" - Journalist Agency Opinion. News From Italy - World / Trentino Alto Adige (opens Agenzia giornalistica Opinione in a new tab)
- Microsoft CEO Smith Said Artificial Intelligence Needs an Emergency Brake. (opens Haberler in a new tab)
- It's for Milk Cartons, but Not for AI! Security Warning From Tech Giant Microsoft. (opens Akşam in a new tab)
- President Microsoft Said Additional Measures Are Needed for AI to Remain a Benefit for Humanity. (opens rador.ro in a new tab)
- AI is less regulated than milk, says Microsoft president (opens kbc.co.ke in a new tab)
- Microsoft CEO: Even Drinking Milk Has Stricter Rules than Artificial Intelligence (opens دیجیاتو in a new tab)
دیجیاتو
- Microsoft CEO: Artificial Intelligence Is Less Regulated than Milk (opens azedu.az in a new tab)
- AI is less regulated than milk, says Microsoft president (opens capitalfm.africa in a new tab)
capitalfm.africa — is capitalfm.africa biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Microsoft's Brad Smith says AI has less regulation than a carton of milk (opens Startup Fortune in a new tab)
Startup Fortune — is Startup Fortune biased? Our profile of this outlet
- AI is less regulated than milk, says Microsoft president (opens MASSIVE.NEWS in a new tab)
MASSIVE.NEWS — is MASSIVE.NEWS biased? Our profile of this outlet
- AI is less regulated than milk, says Microsoft president (opens BizToc in a new tab)
How did this read?
About the coverage, not about the story. We do not ask whether you agree with what happened — we have no honest use for that answer.


