What the Hack? Episode 208: Will AI Write Its Own Laws?
Jul 15, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Ben Winters, Director of AI and Privacy at the Consumer Federation of America, dives into the complexities of AI regulation. He highlights the chaos caused by unregulated AI, revealing dangers like scams and biased algorithms. Ben critiques the blurred lines of therapy bots and emphasizes the need for robust privacy policies. He also discusses the urgency for state-level protections, the threat of dirty data in criminal justice, and calls for accountability among AI CEOs. A fascinating deep dive into the pressing issues of our digital age!
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Episode notes
Moratorium Risks Consumer Harm
- A federal moratorium blocking state AI rules would leave consumers unprotected and let harms proliferate.
- Ben Winters warns it would increase deepfakes, scams, and accidents by enabling impunity.
States Left Handcuffed Without Federal Plan
- The federal push tried to ban states even from enforcing existing AI laws while offering no strong federal alternative.
- Ben Winters calls this unprecedented and dangerous for consumer protection.
Don't Feed Sensitive Data To Chatbots
- Expect companies to claim they can use chatbot inputs for training and advertising unless laws restrict it.
- Avoid sharing sensitive data with companion or mental-health bots that may exploit and misuse inputs.