Brad Smith, Moving Forward When It Comes To Ai
Brad Smith, the head honcho over at Microsoft, has got a thing or two to say about AI, and it’s not all doom and gloom. Far from painting a picture of a world dominated by rogue robots, Smith is all about the positive potential of artificial intelligence. But, he insists, we’ve got to keep a firm hand on the wheel.
His take is that AI is no threat to humanity. But, and it’s a big ‘but’, he’s clear that people need to be the ones calling the shots when it comes to safety. “We need safety brakes that will ensure that AI remains under human control,” he opined during a recent chinwag in Brussels.
Smith is optimistic, but also practical. He’s adamant that we need to be proactive, and now’s the time to do it. According to him, we need to have safeguards at multiple levels to keep this tech in check. And if we can pull that off, we can stop worrying about AI being some kind of existential risk.
Smith’s European tour and the EU’s AI Act
Smith recently popped over to Europe, where he’s been chatting about the EU’s groundbreaking AI Act. It’s a big deal, being the world’s first legislation of its kind, and it’s just taken a major step forward in the European Parliament.
Smith seems pretty jazzed about the EU’s legislation, which aims to put some rules around this burgeoning tech. But he’s savvy enough to know that it’s going to take more than one continent to keep AI on the straight and narrow. He’s calling for a global effort to make sure AI doesn’t get too big for its boots.
A Call For Global Collaboration
He believes we need a fair amount of international coordination on AI regulation. According to Smith, governments need to start by focusing on the key issues, prioritizing, and creating a template before expanding their efforts.
In May, the EU and US announced plans for a joint voluntary code of conduct on AI. Smith is hoping more countries will hop on board. He expects this voluntary code will eventually become mandatory, but he’s all about making sure it’s fit for purpose before we start laying down the law.
AI and geopolitics
AI’s been in the spotlight a lot recently, partly thanks to rapid development in the field, including software like OpenAI’s ChatGPT, which Microsoft has incorporated into its Bing search engine. But it’s not just about tech progress – geopolitics are also coming into play.
There’s been a bit of a stir about China’s ambitions in the AI sphere, with both the US and EU keen to keep things in check. Add to that the delicate situation with Taiwan, the world’s biggest producer of semiconductors, and things are getting a little spicy for Microsoft.
Microsoft’s global dealings and stance on Taiwan
Microsoft has business interests in both the US and China, and Smith is navigating this tricky situation with care. While Microsoft is largely engaged with the world’s democracies, they also have a footprint elsewhere. He’s clear, though, that they’re not going to get involved in defence or military matters.
There’s been talk of the US imposing sanctions on Beijing if it invades Taiwan. If that happens, Smith says Microsoft will take its cue from world leaders. For now, they’re operating in both Taiwan and China, albeit in different ways.
