Microsoft chief calls for humans to rule AI, safeguard critical infrastructure

Microsoft President Brad Smith called on Thursday for the people behind artificial intelligence to be held accountable for shortcomings and urged lawmakers to ensure that safety brakes be put on AI used to control the electric grid, water supply and other critical infrastructure.

For weeks, lawmakers in Washington have struggled with what laws to pass to control AI even as companies large and small have raced to bring increasingly versatile AI to market.

In a blog post on Thursday, Smith emphasized the need for accountability.

“This is the fundamental need to ensure that machines remain subject to effective oversight by people and the people who design and operate machines remain accountable to everyone else.