Brief

This essay argues against extraordinary government intervention in AI development, advocating instead for improved policymaking and societal resilience to manage risks. The authors contend that AI, while a powerful general-purpose technology, should not be treated as fundamentally "abnormal" compared to previous innovations. They highlight that while AI's economic impacts may be slow to materialize due to diffusion speed limits, its misuse risks can emerge rapidly, necessitating a focus on defense and resilience rather than restrictive regulations on companies. AI

Derek Thompson's essay explores AI as a 'normal' technology, noting its current limited impact on the labor market and GDP growth. He argues that despite this, AI presents significant, abnormal risks, suggesting a need for extraordinary government regulation. The author of this piece responds by critiquing the downsides of such heavy-handed intervention and proposing alternative resilience-building strategies. AI