Microsoft's Brad Smith Demands Global AI Safety Rules as Apple Preps HomeView Launch

Microsoft President Brad Smith called for global safety regulations for AI, arguing that milk and washing machines currently face more stringent safety standards than artificial intelligence, according to the BBC. Smith's push for tighter oversight comes as AI adoption accelerates across enterprise environments with minimal unified regulatory frameworks.

Surveys by Workday, Google, MIT, and others reveal a growing human "verification tax" bottleneck as AI efficiency gains remain limited, reports the New York Times. The research highlights that as artificial intelligence automates office tasks, it is simultaneously creating a new type of human work centered on checking and validating AI outputs, undercutting expected productivity improvements.

Silicon Valley leaders are increasingly falling in line with President Donald Trump's attempt to rebrand artificial intelligence as "super intelligence," though most of the broader population continues using the term AI. The rebranding effort highlights how major tech companies are aligning with the administration's language even as skepticism persists about whether the new terminology will gain widespread traction.

Apple is reportedly preparing to launch its new smart home product called HomeView, with multiple reports over the past couple of years now pointing to a concrete name and launch date. The device represents Apple's latest attempt to crack a smart home market where it has historically lagged behind competitors like Amazon and Google.

TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 kicks off in less than 48 hours at San Francisco's Moscone West venue, where attendees can save up to $100 on passes before door prices increase. The conference offers a 50% discount on a second pass and will feature direct insights from builders shaping the next wave of technology.

Running powerful AI models locally on personal devices is becoming increasingly viable, though the experience remains exciting, overwhelming, and frustrating for users hesitant to share personal data with cloud services. The shift toward local AI processing offers privacy-conscious users an alternative to cloud-dependent tools from companies like OpenAI and Google.

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