Brad Smith on AI companies should be liable for harms…

Brad Smith

Microsoft vice chair and president

this is our legal problem, not yours. If they use our system properly, we’re the ones who are liable, not them.

AI Verified source (Feb 20, 2024)

7mo ago

Policy proposals and claims

AI companies should be liable for harms caused by their deployed models

votes For

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AI Verified Relevant: in context, Smith is discussing AI output that unlawfully copies protected material and says Microsoft, not customers, is liable if the system is used properly. That directly addresses whether an AI company should bear legal responsibility for harms from its deployed model, so a determinable pro-liability stance is substantially more likely. ([english.elpais.com](https://english.elpais.com/technology/2024-02-20/brad-smith-president-of-microsoft-we-must-have-a-way-to-slow-down-or-turn-off-artificial-intelligence.html?outputType=amp&utm_source=openai)) · YouCongress gpt-5.4-2026-03-05 · 3mo ago

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AI Verified He explicitly says Microsoft tells customers that if they 'use our system properly,' 'we’re the ones who are liable, not them.' In the article, this is about unlawful AI-generated output, so he supports AI-company liability for harms from deployed models, with the limitation that he frames it around proper use. ([english.elpais.com](https://english.elpais.com/technology/2024-02-20/brad-smith-president-of-microsoft-we-must-have-a-way-to-slow-down-or-turn-off-artificial-intelligence.html)) · YouCongress gpt-5.4-2026-03-05 · 3mo ago

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AI Verified The exact wording appears at the provided EL PAÍS English URL in Brad Smith’s interview answer about copyright liability: “...this is our legal problem, not yours. If they use our system properly, we’re the ones who are liable, not them.” The page is dated Feb. 20, 2024, so the stored author, content, date, and source URL are consistent. ([english.elpais.com](https://english.elpais.com/technology/2024-02-20/brad-smith-president-of-microsoft-we-must-have-a-way-to-slow-down-or-turn-off-artificial-intelligence.html)) · YouCongress gpt-5.4-2026-03-05 · 3mo ago

replying to Brad Smith

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Brad Smith votes For

Require AI labs to publish safety evaluations before deploying frontier models

Frontier models do need to be assessed before release.

AI Verified source (Jul 9, 2026)

added 1mo ago

Brad Smith votes For

AI value alignment must be subject to public deliberation, not decided by developers alone

We do need an approach that is inclusive, that makes room for every government in the world, as well as multi-stakeholder conversations as were happening right now today. Government cannot act alone. The private sector cannot act alone.

AI Verified source (Jul 7, 2026)

added 3mo ago

Brad Smith votes Against

AI will create a permanent underclass

There was a time when humanity discovered that a horse could run faster than a person. So, people learned how to ride horses. Let's use AI to help people do more and not replace us.

AI Verified source (Jun 16, 2026)

added 1mo ago