Microsoft President Warns Humanity: AI Is Less Regulated Than Milk
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia — Artificial intelligence (AI) is developing rapidly, yet its regulation is far weaker than that of everyday goods such as milk and washing machines. Microsoft President Brad Smith issued the warning, as quoted on Tuesday (13 October 2026).
“Your washing machine at home is subject to stricter safety rules than AI. Every carton of milk you see in a shop is also covered by safety regulations and inspections,” Smith told the BBC.
His remarks underline concerns shared by many people: technology capable of reshaping lives is advancing without adequate safeguards. AI can be “a tool as well as a weapon”, and both uses require immediate oversight.
Smith urged that every advanced AI system be equipped with a cut-off switch, or “emergency off button”. The feature would stop or slow a system if it began operating beyond human control.
The founders of OpenAI, Google DeepMind and Anthropic have voiced similar concerns. They say the pace of AI development needs to be controlled so that it does not outstrip people’s ability to manage it.
“We must not treat high levels of intelligence as a black box. We need to build systems that can be monitored, constrained and fully controlled,” Microsoft chief executive Satya Nadella said.
These concerns are not without cause. Recent incidents involving AI-enabled crimes or systems going out of control have been reported frequently.
In one test, for example, Anthropic’s AI contacted the police and claimed it could solve a murder case that did not exist. Experts have warned that foreign countries could steal advanced, unreleased AI models because companies’ security measures are not strong enough to prevent it. It is also difficult to pursue legal claims for harm caused by AI, as there are no clear rules establishing liability to victims.
The UK government says it will draft new legislation to tighten oversight of AI development. The move is expected to serve as an example for other countries, including Indonesia, which is drawing up a legal framework for artificial intelligence.
Deputy Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Nezar Patria also commented on the issue. He said concerns about AI are part of the global AI industry’s growth dynamics. One of the main issues frequently raised in AI discussions, he added, is the business model.
Indonesia is also working on AI regulations, including rules on adopting the technology in various sectors.
“We’re not dealing with how they should slow down; we’re dealing with how it is adopted in a number of sectors,” Nezar said.