Why the software industry needs a lot of regulation
The author argues that the software industry should face professional regulation and accountability similar to civil engineering, given the increasing impact of code on safety-critical systems. The piece suggests that as software becomes more integrated into warfare and infrastructure, the industry's current lack of oversight is unsustainable.
Why it matters
It addresses the growing debate over whether software developers should be held legally liable for failures in safety-critical AI and autonomous systems.
Structural engineers have a physical stamp that they apply to plans they approve, and if a building falls down due to design problems, they’re directly and personally responsible. Software engineers can deploy code that kills hundreds of people without anywhere near that level of accountability. Here’s why I don’t think that’s right, or even sustainable.
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