Focusing on future AI doom lets companies dodge responsibility today, professor says (www.businessinsider.com)

In a compelling essay, Tobias Osborne, a professor of theoretical physics at Leibniz Universität Hannover, argues that the growing fixation on doomsday scenarios regarding AI is allowing companies to avoid accountability for immediate harms their technologies inflict. He highlights that while discussions about superintelligent machines dominate the AI debate, real issues such as labor exploitation, environmental impact, and copyright theft are being overlooked. Osborne asserts that this framing positions AI firms as national-security actors rather than product vendors, reducing their liability and weakening necessary regulations. Osborne's critique emphasizes the importance of shifting focus from speculative future threats to the current implications of AI technologies. He advocates for the application of existing liability laws to ensure accountability for immediate harms, such as psychological distress caused by chatbots and the environmental costs associated with data centers. Recognizing the tangible benefits of AI, especially for individuals with disabilities, he warns that these advantages could be overshadowed by neglect of ethical considerations and accountability in deployment. Addressing these ordinary yet critical issues is essential for ensuring responsible AI development and its positive impact on society.