Lawfare all-stars Natalie Orpett, Eugenia Lostri, and Kevin Frazier discuss national security news, including Guantanamo detainee transfers, AI safety, and undersea cable protection. They explore challenges in resettling detainees, risks of AI development, and strategic competition for undersea cables. The podcast covers a wide range of topics from legal issues to potential threats in telecommunications infrastructure.
The halt in Guantanamo Bay detainee transfers to Oman due to security concerns raises questions on closing Guantanamo and resettling detainees.
The Senate's AI roadmap prioritizing innovation over responsible development raises concerns about fostering an AI arms race.
Addressing vulnerabilities of undersea cables requires enhanced security measures and international regulations to protect critical communication networks.
Deep dives
Concerns about the lack of transparency and influence of big tech in shaping AI regulation
The recent Senate AI working group's roadmap lacked specific policy details and transparency, raising concerns about the influence of big tech in setting the AI regulation agenda. The focus on long-term AI risks may be overshadowing the current harms caused by AI deployments, potentially influenced by big tech's agenda-setting power.
Balancing short-term and long-term AI risks with a focus on responsible AI development
While addressing both short-term and long-term AI risks is essential, the Senate AI roadmap's emphasis on innovation as the primary goal may foster an AI arms race rather than prioritizing responsible AI development. It is crucial to shift the focus towards safeguarding against potential risks and responsible development.
Exploring the challenges of implementing liability in AI development
The question of liability in AI development raises challenges in quantifying risks and potential catastrophic outcomes, making it difficult to establish a liability regime. Researchers like Gabe Whelan and Annette Leor have delved into this issue, highlighting the complexities of ensuring AI labs with high levels of risk and the need for further scholarly analysis.
The Importance of Independent Expert Analysis in Congressional Responses to AI Developments
Developing congressional responses to AI developments requires independent expert concrete analysis to guide policies effectively. Instead of relying on generalized frameworks, the need for tailored analysis to avoid potential pitfalls like liability issues from emerging technologies is crucial. By leveraging existing tort law frameworks, industries can anticipate and address potential risks and liabilities, ensuring accountability for negative externalities such as discrimination and misinformation.
Challenges and Solutions in Protecting Undersea Cables from Strategic Threats
The vulnerabilities of undersea cables to sabotage and espionage pose significant challenges for global telecommunications infrastructure. The lack of robust international regulations complicates efforts to protect these critical communication networks. Emerging strategies such as deploying 'dark cables,' enhancing sensor technologies, and establishing cable protection zones aim to strengthen security measures against threats in high seas and coastal areas. Addressing jurisdictional complexities and regulatory gaps is essential to safeguarding undersea cables against disruptive activities.
This week, a Quinta-less Alan and Scott sat down with Lawfare all-stars Natalie Orpett, Eugenia Lostri, and Kevin Frazier to talk about the week’s big national security news, including:
“Waiting to Expel.” The New York Timesreported this week that the anticipated transfer of almost a dozen detainees from Guantanamo Bay to Oman was halted in the wake of the Oct. 7 massacre. This as Oman is reportedly preparing to expel a number of former detainees already resident there with their families. What do these developments mean for the effort to resettle detainees and ultimately close Guantanamo?
“The First Law of Robotics is Don’t Talk About the Law of Robotics.” AI safety is back on the front pages again, after the resignation of much of OpenAI’s “superalignment” team, which had been tasked with preventing the AIs being developed from becoming a threat to humanity. A bipartisan group of senators, meanwhile, has laid out a roadmap to guide legislative efforts. But is it on the right track? And just how much should we be sucking up to our future robot overlords?
“20,000 Leaks Under the Sea.” Strategic competition is slowly leading U.S. officials to give more careful consideration to the network of undersea cables on which much of the global telecommunications system relies—and which China and Russia seem increasingly intent on being able to access or disrupt. But what will addressing this threat require? And is the antiquated legal regime governing undersea cables up to the task?
