Watchdog Denounces ‘Staggering and Disgusting’ Hypocrisy of AI Industry Giants “Put plainly, Silicon Valley is the problem threatening our ways of life.”

From:  https://www.commondreams.org/news/ai-companies-open-letter

Government watchdog Public Citizen on Thursday hit back at the artificial intelligence industry for warning about the dire threats posed by its own technology after it spent years trying to block any government regulations that could have curtailed dangerous AI behavior that experts and progressive lawmakers have warned about for years.

In an open letter sent on Thursday, dozens of tech companies—including OpenAI, Anthropic, Amazon Web Services, and Microsoft—claimed that there is a “limited window” to defend against AI-executed cyberattacks, which they said “will become far more widespread and sophisticated as models around the world become increasingly capable.”

If nothing is done, the companies said, then crucial facilities “from hospitals to water treatment plants to the infrastructure that powers the internet” will be at risk.

The companies said that thwarting such AI cyberattacks would require a “global response” where governments will need to “fund cyber defense” and “give hospitals, water utilities, and local governments access to capable defensive AI, authorized testing, and hands-on support through trusted security providers and partners.”

JB Branch, director of federal AI governance and technology policy at Public Citizen, urged lawmakers to be deeply skeptical of Big Tech’s messaging on the issue and the industry’s proposed plan of action, which he said would further enrich Silicon Valley without providing any safeguards for the public when it comes to AI development.

“Big Tech does not get to unleash powerful AI systems, fight tooth and nail against meaningful regulation,” said Branch, “and then cry for help when the dangers they helped create come knocking.”

Branch noted that the tech industry has insisted for years that there should be no government intervention into developing technology, supposedly because it would put the US at risk of “losing” the AI race to China.

Now, Branch said, they are running to the government and demanding fast action to help solve a problem they created.

“That hypocrisy is equal parts staggering and disgusting,” Branch said. “If the threat is serious enough to demand urgent action from the government, then it is serious enough to demand binding rules, independent oversight, and accountability from the companies creating it.”

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