Better Offline

The World of AI Regulation with Brian Merchant

23 snips
Oct 10, 2025
Brian Merchant, a writer and author of the insightful newsletter and book "Blood in the Machine," dives into the tangled world of AI regulation. He discusses the recent troubles with California’s AI safety bill, highlighting industry pushbacks and the lackluster reworking of regulations. Brian advocates for legislation that addresses real issues like environmental impact and workplace surveillance. He also tackles the challenge of child safety in chatbot interactions and reveals the influence of lobbying on shaping AI policies. Tune in for an eye-opening conversation about the future of technology regulation!
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INSIGHT

Cosmetic AI Law Without Enforcement

  • California's signed AI bill mostly requires companies to publish vague “safety” webpages and report incidents on an honor system.
  • Brian Merchant argues this creates no real enforcement and largely placates politicians without constraining big AI firms.
INSIGHT

Whistleblower Lines On Paper Aren't Enough

  • The bill's whistleblower protections are symbolic and unlikely to overcome NDAs and industry norms.
  • Merchant sees the law as enabling politicians to claim action while blocking stronger bills.
ADVICE

Require Proof For Child-Facing AI

  • Legislators should demand demonstrable safety before marketing chatbots to children, not vague promises.
  • Require companies to prove their systems won't encourage self-harm before allowing child-targeted deployment.
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