Brad Smith on Nations should establish binding intern…

Brad Smith

Microsoft vice chair and president

If somebody says, 'This technology is so powerful that we need a global treaty to slow it down,' then I would say: Then take your foot off the accelerator yourself if you think it's moving too fast.

AI Verified source (Jun 16, 2026)

4mo ago

Policy proposals and claims

Nations should establish binding international rules for AI safety and governance

votes Against

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AI Verified The quote directly addresses the idea of a global treaty to slow AI and dismisses it in favor of voluntary self-restraint ('take your foot off the accelerator yourself'). That clearly implies opposition to negotiating a binding international AI treaty of the kind described. · YouCongress gpt-5.4-2026-03-05 · 4mo ago

Vote inference verification history AI Verified Report this

AI Verified The quote pushes back on the idea that "we need a global treaty to slow it down," replying instead that those worried should "take your foot off the accelerator yourself," which clearly rejects the treaty approach. · YouCongress gpt-5.4-2026-03-05 · 4mo ago

Quote authenticity verification history

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AI Verified Axios’s June 16, 2026 article contains the sentence exactly as stored and directly attributes it to Brad Smith in the interview. The stored author, date, source URL, and quote text match the source. ([axios.com](https://www.axios.com/2026/06/16/microsofts-brad-smith-on-ai-era-jobs-lets-not-panic)) · YouCongress gpt-5.4-2026-03-05 · 4mo ago

replying to Brad Smith

Other opinions from 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 3mo 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 4mo 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 2mo ago