Joseph Gordon-Levitt wonders why AI companies don't have to 'follow any laws' (fortune.com)

At the Fortune Brainstorm AI conference, Joseph Gordon-Levitt voiced a strong critique of the AI industry's lack of regulation, questioning why companies developing these technologies aren't held accountable under the law. He pointed out alarming trends, such as AI companions on platforms potentially exposing children to inappropriate content, arguing that internal corporate ethics cannot replace governmental oversight. Gordon-Levitt emphasized that without regulatory "guardrails," companies prioritizing public good face competitive disadvantages, which could lead to ethically dubious outcomes as they strive for market dominance. His concerns extended beyond regulations to the psychological effects of AI on children, likening addictive AI toys to "slot machines" that foster "synthetic intimacy." Gordon-Levitt warned that such interactions could hinder healthy brain development, as children adapt to artificial engagement rather than cultivating real relationships. He also highlighted the unsustainable economic model of generative AI, where tech companies profit while creators receive nothing. While advocating for ethical AI use, he maintained that the industry must ensure fair compensation and ownership rights for creators to avoid a dystopian future.