Google executives called for the smart regulation of artificial intelligence during the ATxSummit 2026 in Singapore on May 20 [1].
The push for calibrated oversight comes as AI advances rapidly, creating a tension between the need for safety and the speed of technological innovation. Because the technology evolves faster than policy can be written, poorly designed rules could stifle development or fail to protect the public.
Karan Bhatia, Google's global head of government affairs and public policy, emphasized the necessity of a strategic approach to oversight. "AI is too important not to regulate smartly," Bhatia said [1].
Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google DeepMind, noted that the volatility of the field makes creating stable guidelines difficult. Hassabis said it is important to regulate AI, but getting the regulations right is hard when the technology is not fully understood and is fast-moving [2].
The summit served as a venue for formalizing cooperation between the tech giant and the city-state. Singapore signed two AI partnership agreements at the event, with one being with Google, and the other with OpenAI [1].
These projects include new initiatives focused on public healthcare. The collaboration aims to integrate AI tools into the state's medical infrastructure to improve patient outcomes, and administrative efficiency.
Bhatia and Hassabis argued that regulation must be appropriately calibrated to address trust and safety concerns without halting the momentum of the industry [2]. This balance is critical as AI systems are increasingly integrated into essential public services.
“"AI is too important not to regulate smartly."”
The call for 'smart' regulation from Google executives reflects a broader industry effort to shape the legal landscape of AI. By advocating for calibrated rules rather than rigid bans or slow-moving bureaucracy, Google seeks to ensure that future laws do not impede the deployment of its commercial products while still addressing the public safety concerns that could lead to more restrictive, unplanned government interventions.
