The Curious Left-Wing Argument Against New AI Regulations

The recent rise of artificial intelligence has sparked a wave of concern among some members of the populist left, who argue that existing regulations are sufficient to contain the potential dangers of a rogue superintelligence. In an article published by The American Prospect, Whitney Curry Wimbish and David Dayen assert that Congressional Democrats are "in hysterics" over the idea of saving the world from AI, insisting that no new laws are necessary. Former Obama administration official Jeff Hauser even went so far as to call AI firms "outlaws."

Lina Khan, the former chair of the Federal Trade Commission and an adviser to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, has argued that existing laws already provide the authority to charge companies and their CEOs for creating and releasing dangerous, unvetted, or defective products. However, Khan has conceded that new regulations might be necessary if existing laws prove inadequate.

The potential dangers posed by AI are significant, as AI agents have shown the ability to pursue goals or methods at odds with their instructions and to undergo "recursive self-improvement," meaning they may become increasingly capable of controlling themselves. Experts warn that this could make it even harder to control AI in the future. However, skeptics argue that the potential harm caused by runaway AI is far greater than the value of the firms developing it, making lawsuits nearly useless in preventing such disasters.

While some AI executives, particularly those on the left, have called for regulation, others have expressed skepticism about the need for new laws. Critics argue that the legal threat of prosecuting AI developers could backfire, as it may incentivize companies to hide risks or shut down entirely rather than targeting specific dangerous practices. Additionally, the inherent difficulty in predicting AI's intentions and actions raises questions about culpability under existing laws.

Despite opposition to new AI regulations from some populists, there are underlying concerns about the potential consequences of AI development. Some populists suspect that AI companies may exaggerate their technology's capabilities to secure a leadership position in the industry, while others believe that existing laws may not be sufficient to address the risks associated with AI development.