AI Geniuses Should Not Dictate Policy: A Perspective
Authored by David McGarry via RealClearMarkets
Geniuses are known for their eccentricities. As Montesquieu once said, the exceptional can also be a bit loony. Take Cornelius Vanderbilt, for example, who claimed to communicate with the spirit of George Washington. Or Henry Ford, who consumed weeds for health, and Thomas Alva Edison, who avoided baths. These examples serve as a reminder that geniuses, while vital to American prosperity and innovation, should not be blindly trusted. Today, Congress in Washington, D.C., must ensure that artificial intelligence (AI) is protected from the very technologists who created it.
Dario Amodei of Anthropic has called for the government to control the “pace” of innovation, warning of potential disasters if AI advances unchecked. However, his proposed regulatory scheme could stifle competition and hinder progress.
The pessimism of Amodei and others like him is not new. Throughout history, major innovations have been met with fear and calls for government intervention. Yet, these concerns have often been proven wrong, as seen with the printing press, the typewriter, and other technological advancements.
While some in Congress are pushing for aggressive AI regulation, others like President Donald Trump and Speaker Mike Johnson are advocating for a more cautious approach, relying on the principles of free innovation within traditional legal boundaries.
It is crucial that any federal regulatory standards for AI are practical, based on experience, and uphold the principles of liberty. Innovation must not be stifled by unfounded fears and excessive government control.
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