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Microsoft President: AI Needs Global Rules

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Brad Smith, the president of Microsoft, has said that artificial intelligence is less regulated than milk. Artificial intelligence, or AI, means technology that can learn and make decisions like a human.

Smith is calling for global rules to control how AI is used. He believes that right now, there are not enough laws to manage this fast-growing technology.

He also said that the United Kingdom is in the "best position" to lead this effort. This means the UK could help bring countries together to create shared rules.

AI is already used in many parts of life, from writing text to helping with business decisions. Because it is growing so quickly, some experts worry that it could cause problems without proper oversight.

Oversight means watching and checking something to make sure it is safe. Smith seems to think AI needs more of this kind of attention from governments.

Milk, on the other hand, is a simple example of something with strict safety rules. Farmers and companies must follow laws about how milk is produced, stored, and sold.

Smith's comment highlights how new AI is compared to older, well-known industries. He suggests that world leaders need to act quickly to create a framework for AI safety.

A framework is a system of rules or ideas that guide how something should work. Without one, Smith warns, AI could develop in ways that are hard to control.

It is not yet clear what specific steps the UK or other countries will take. However, Smith's statement adds to a growing debate about how much control governments should have over AI technology.

Vocabulary10 words

artificial intelligence
technology that can learn and think like a person
regulated
controlled by official rules
global
involving the whole world
lead
to be first and guide others
oversight
careful checking to make sure something is safe
framework
a system of rules that guides something
governments
groups that run a country and make laws
technology
tools or systems made using science
industries
types of businesses, like farming or tech
debate
a discussion where people share different opinions

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Quiz

1. What did Brad Smith compare AI's regulation to?
2. What does Smith want countries to create together?
3. According to the summary, which country could lead global AI rule-making?

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Fill-in-the-blank listening

Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.

Brad Smith, the president of Microsoft, has said that artificial intelligence is less _____ than milk. Artificial intelligence, or AI, means technology that can learn and make decisions like a human.

Smith is calling for _____ rules to control how AI is used. He believes that right now, there are not enough laws to manage this fast-growing technology.

He also said that the United Kingdom is in the "best position" to _____ this effort. This means the UK could help bring countries together to create shared rules.

AI is already used in many parts of life, from writing text to helping with business decisions. Because it is growing so quickly, some experts worry that it could cause problems without proper _____.

_____ means watching and checking something to make sure it is safe. Smith seems to think AI needs more of this kind of attention from governments.

Milk, on the other hand, is a simple example of something with strict safety _____. Farmers and companies must follow laws about how milk is produced, stored, and sold.

Smith's comment highlights how new AI is compared to older, well-known industries. He suggests that world leaders need to act quickly to create a _____ for AI safety.

A _____ is a system of rules or ideas that guide how something should work. Without one, Smith warns, AI could develop in ways that are hard to control.

It is not yet clear what specific steps the UK or other countries will take. However, Smith's statement adds to a growing _____ about how much control governments should have over AI technology.

Discussion questions

  1. Do you agree that AI needs more regulation? Why or why not?
  2. What risks might come from AI having too few rules?
  3. Why do you think the UK is seen as a possible leader in AI regulation?
  4. How is AI similar to or different from industries like dairy farming when it comes to rules?

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