October 12, 2026
A prominent expert called for the imposition of strict and urgent regulations on the artificial intelligence sector, warning that household appliances and consumer products are subject to safety and inspection standards that exceed those imposed on currently advanced technology systems.
In an interview with the BBC’s “Big Boss Interview” podcast, Smith described artificial intelligence as “a tool and a weapon at the same time,” stressing the need for immediate action to control these technologies, saying: “We have to start today.”
Smith called on developing companies to include in their systems what he described as “emergency brakes” or what are known in the sector as “kill switches,” which allow systems to be stopped or slowed down if they get out of control.
He also called for the adoption of legal obligations that force companies to prepare incident reports and inform those affected when systems behave unexpectedly, suggesting that the task of reviewing new technologies be assigned to governmental or independent bodies before putting them on the market.
Smith concluded by saying: “We know how to apply these procedures to other products, and we must build on this experience and think about how to apply them to artificial intelligence,” referring to the need to benefit from the regulations in place in sectors such as store milk and home washing machines.
