Brad Smith
Role at the time: Brad Smith, Microsoft president, in a BBC interview released October 11; recording date not established
Challenged the characterization
Statement summary
BBC reports Smith saying most visa applications concerned existing employees and every green-card applicant already worked for Microsoft. He says the company also hired 9,000 Americans the previous year.
“got the maths wrong”
Open the original interview (opens in a new tab)Microsoft President: Britain Should Write World's AI RulesBBC episode description, paragraph beginning Mr Smith also responded
BBC's original episode page summarizes Smith's response to Vance and identifies the presenter and production team. October 11 is the release date; the recording date is not established.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Why we used this label
The reference point is Microsoft's alleged replacement of American workers through visa programs. Smith challenges the interpretation of the figures used to support that allegation.