AI and the climate crisis pose existential risks. The law offers a way to reduce them | Robert Reich
Robert Reich argues that liability law could be an effective tool for holding corporations accountable for existential risks posed by AI and the climate crisis. He highlights ongoing litigation against oil companies as a potential precedent for future AI-related accountability.
Why it matters
It explores the intersection of legal strategy, corporate responsibility, and emerging technological and environmental threats.
‘Liability law is hardly an easy or perfect fix, but it’s an important start.’/Getty Images ‘Liability law is hardly an easy or perfect fix, but it’s an important start.’/Getty Images Opinion AI (artificial intelligence) AI and the climate crisis pose existential risks. The law offers a way to reduce them Robert Reich Liability lawsuits have held tobacco, oil and pharma companies to account in the past. AI investors won’t ignore this threat
The most basic function of government is to protect people from harm. Two growing phenomena – the climate crisis and AI – pose escalating risks of extraordinary harm.
The climate crisis is already causing floods, wildfires, drought and record heat. AI agents are already escaping super-secure environments to hack into systems they’re supposed to avoid.
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