The question of how to regulate AI has been the hot topic on everyone’s mind, from the United States President Joe Biden to CEOs of companies such as Google and OpenAI. Microsoft, a leader in the AI race, has chimed in with its own take on the issue with a 40-page report titled Governing AI: A Blueprint for the Future. Their opinion on how AI should be controlled falls on both governments and businesses alike.
Microsoft proposes that governments should take into account five major principles while determining how to regulate AI. These are: to build on existing AI safety frameworks, providing safety breaks for AI systems that control critical infrastructure, creating a legal and regulatory framework that accounts for the technological landscape of AI, promoting transparency in the development and use of AI, as well as exploring public-private collaborations.
It is to be noted that Microsoft has made sure to put in place its own safe-guards. The company employs 350 professionals working on AI safety and has developed a broad AI governance system. Microsoft has adopted cyber security, privacy, and digital safety standards from other organizations for this purpose.
The report echoes calls from OpenAI CEO Sam Altman who in the past had mentioned creating an agency with a democratized process to control AI systems. Microsoft President Brad Smith had, in his speech in Washington, suggested the possibility of a governing authority that could oversee AI.
Microsoft is a tech giant that has impacted the world with its innovative products and groundbreaking research. Established in 1975, the company currently holds a wide portfolio in the personal computing world with popular products such as Windows, Office, Microsoft Edge, Skype, and many more. Microsoft also offers cloud services and powerful AI solutions for businesses to help them transform their operations.
Brad Smith, the President of Microsoft, has been in his current position since 2015. He was previously the Executive Vice President of Legal and Corporate Affairs and gained international attention for his involvement in tackling critical issues such as immigration, data privacy, and tech innovation. Smith holds a Law degree from Cornell Law School and is a member of the ACLU’s National Advisory Council.
