How to Control AI: Changing Our Trajectory and Democratizing Technology

By Jack Wedam

How to Control AI: Changing Our Trajectory and Democratizing Technology

Jack Wedam started programming and coding computers in the 1970s. He has a patent on a computer device. And he has published two books on the societal dangers of Google Glasses and smartphones. So when he cautions against something technological…readers may want to listen.

How to Control AI: Changing Our Trajectory and Democratizing Technology is written with a computer insider’s brain but in easy-to-understand language that readers at all levels of tech literacy can understand. To that end, because everyone loves a good spoiler, here’s the twist in How to Control AI:

AI is not our biggest problem. 

Who controls AI presents the most significant danger. Control of AI must be democratized. Within these pages, Wedam offers out-of-the-box and innovative but also doable and effective ways to accomplish this.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Outskirts Press
• Release date: Dec 14, 2023
• ISBN: 9781977269041

Jack Wedam

Jack Wedam has closely followed computer development since he started computer programming (coding) in 1973. For almost a decade he has warned of societal considerations of computers and AI. He authored Google Glass Can Read Your Mind, Cunningly Smart Phones, and Is your smartphone your possession - or your obsession? He is now retired and lives in Texas.

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How to Control AI

Changing Our Trajectory and Democratizing Technology

All Rights Reserved.

Copyright © 2024 Jack Wedam

v2.0

The opinions expressed in this manuscript are solely the opinions of the author and do not represent the opinions or thoughts of the publisher. The author has represented and warranted full ownership and/or legal right to publish all the materials in this book.

This book may not be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in whole or in part by any means, including graphic, electronic, or mechanical without the express written consent of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

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PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

DISCLAIMERS

Legal disclosure: I am not an attorney. This book is only intended for entertainment, as seen by the parody towards the end of the book. I used AI to help write this parody, and I was amazed that AI wrote a much better parody than my original.

The words, concepts, and other content in this book and any linked materials are not intended to be legal advice. If the reader or any other person has a legal concern, they should consult an appropriately licensed attorney or legal representative. If you have a legal concern, consult an appropriately licensed attorney or another legal practitioner as soon as possible.

The views expressed in this book are not related to any academic, institution, or profession the author is currently associated with or has been associated with.

The author does not guarantee the suitability of any material in this book. Inevitably, suggestions may have unseeable or unknowable second- or third-order consequences. With any control measure, there are tradeoffs in cost, speed, and efficiency; winners and losers. Moreover, by reading this book, you agree to hold the author harmless regarding first-, second-, or third-order effects that may result from implementing any of the suggestions mentioned in this book.

Fair use disclosure: Copyright disclaimer under Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976. Allowance is made for Fair Use for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. No copyright infringement is intended.¹ The author made a good-faith effort to eliminate copyright infringement using plagiarism detection software.

Plagiarism disclosure: I know the copyright requirements and what constitutes plagiarism and have made a good-faith effort to prevent plagiarism. I use hyperlinks and endnotes extensively. I also used AI programs to detect plagiarism. Any perceived plagiarism is unintentional.

Artificial intelligence disclosure: Although I wrote this book myself, I received substantial editorial assistance from AI editing platforms. I formulated the thoughts myself, and I did the research myself. However, I used Grammarly,² Quillbot,³ and Microsoft Editor⁴ as AI editors. Consider the rich irony. AI is helping me write a book about how humans can control AI. About 20% of the words were added or removed and about 30% of the sentences were rewritten with suggestions from these AI editors. This added clarity and, in many cases, provided smoother transitions. These AI editing programs provided me with a much better experience than other non-AI editing software, but not as good as the professional (human) editors I have also relied upon. Two professional (human) editors performed the final editing and recommended changing another 30%.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Acknowledgments

Preface: Enough Fearmongering. I am Optimistic

We Need to Provide Off Ramps Quickly

Fiduciary Duties

Balancing Innovation Versus Creating an AI Monster

The Secret Sauce for Controlling AI

What If You Could Gamble With My Money?

Externalities and Risk

Externalities

Risk Is an Intangible and Abstract Idea

Insurance

Risk Premiums Often Reduce Risk

Competitive Insurance Markets Are Better Than Bureaucrats

AI Insurance Already Exists

Minimum Liability Limits for AI

Federal Versus State

Regulations: Too Little, Too Late?

Modifying Existing Laws, Regulations, and Legal Frameworks

Piercing The Corporate Veil

Contracts and Terms of Service Should Be Changed

If We Cannot Hold AI Accountable, Who Will Be Accountable?

Suppose A New Federal Rule Substantially Changes the Scope of Influence and Control

Aiders, Abettors, and Accessories Must Also Be Held Accountable

Modifying Existing Laws

Product Liability and Lawsuits

Forensic Analysis of Digital Evidence

AI May Be a Threat to Democracy

Generously Incentivize Those That Can Help Us

Government and Trust in AI

Current AI Safety Systems Are Not Enough

Licensing

Digital Signs—No Trespass, Do Not Call, and Cease and Desist.

Isolation, Quarantine, and Inspection

Terminators Going Rogue?

BSL4 and Chemical Facilities as a Model for High-Risk AI Research

Watching The Watchers

Learning, Training, and Performing Modes

Establish a National AI Response Team

Tax AI in Proportion to the Externalities It Creates

Will History Repeat Itself? Will It Be Worse This Time?

No Middle Path

Comments? Questions?

Appendix 1: Considerations for State Laws, Popular Referendums or Citizen Initiatives

Appendix 2: Ways to Control AI

Appendix 3: Respondeat Superiors and Aiders and Abettors, Accessories (RS-AAAs)

Appendix 4: Popular Referendums, Citizen Initiatives, and State Bills to Control AI

Appendix 5: Summarized Imperatives of Controlling AI

Appendix 6: Possible Geofencing Digital Signs

Appendix 7: Popular Referendums Or Citizen Initiatives

Appendix 8: Weaknesses of the European Union’s Approach to Regulating AI.

Auditing

Election Integrity

Civil Fines and Penalties, Administrative Fines and Criminal Behavior

Insurance

Manipulating People

Risk

High-risk

Relevant Regulatory Requirements

Traceability

There Are More Problems

Endnotes

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The following carbon-based reviewers offered many helpful suggestions and comments that were used to improve the content of this book. This is a list of the reviewers to whom I am very grateful:

Several reviewers supplied many excellent comments and suggestions. However, they want to remain unnamed due to the potential pushback they might receive because of their proximity to some of the topics discussed in his book.

Mike Ramirez, retired advertising/marketing director, investigative journalist, and research analyst in national security matters. Mike provided many great suggestions that are included in this book.

Marc Mattix, DVM, American College of Veterinary Pathologists. Mike vetted this manuscript as thoroughly as he has used his microscope to closely examine tissue specimens for decades.

Mary Kay Douglas, An extraordinaire editor, offered many suggestions to improve clarity and readability.

Gabriella Williams, copyeditor and development editor on Reedsy, the professional editing platform.

PREFACE:

ENOUGH FEARMONGERING. I AM OPTIMISTIC.

This book intends to provide hope to those who think we are doomed in the face of artificial intelligence (AI). AI discussions have recently blown up across the information space. The fear is almost palpable. Some believe we have already passed into the singularity,⁵ that is, the point at which AI becomes more intelligent than humans and can thus begin to improve itself and create new technologies beyond our understanding. Others worry it may be too late to save democracy.⁶ They argue that rapid advancements in AI, coupled with its potential to manipulate information and sway public opinion, pose significant challenges to the fundamental principles of democratic governance. Headlines, talk shows, podcasts, and social media blare out dire warnings that AI will cause dramatic changes, from massive workforce dislocations to human extinction. Indeed, there is cause for some concern, which we will discuss. However, I refuse to succumb to fearmongering and be associated with the we-are-all-going-to-die tribe.

Contrary to the doom-and-gloom mob’s pessimistic foreboding, I am optimistic. The solutions are simple: (1) Control AI’s access to electricity and (2) control AI’s ability to communicate. However, the fact that these solutions are simple does not mean that they will be easy; implementing them will involve new regulatory frameworks, monitoring of systems, and buy in from governments and key stakeholders. For most readers, your part is easy, but you must get actively involved and encourage your friends and family to do so too. If you do not get involved and find yourself enslaved to AI in the future, you will have to live in bondage with regret that you did not do something while you could.

Big tech corporations want more regulations.⁷ Even the CEO of Open AI – the company behind ChatGPT – testified before Congress that AI technologies (such as his own) require regulation.⁸ Indeed, this is unavoidable; without proper oversight, AI systems can infringe on individuals’ privacy, perpetuate harmful biases, pose safety risks, and raise ethical dilemmas, all of which can have far-reaching societal consequences. However, more than just regulations will be needed. We will also need accountability, incentivization, insurance, licensing, frameworks, and above all, new ways of building and using AI systems. I will cover each of these elements within this book.

There will be many obstacles. Many people have invested much in AI - not just money but also personal identity, status, and national pride. Some who have big expectations and have a lot invested in AI will push back if they think their investments or expectations of AI are threatened. Controlling AI itself will be comparatively easy; declawing those who push back will take work. Nevertheless, both are possible. This book aims to show that AI, and those who control it, can become a force for good, so we can harness AI’s power to benefit everyone.

Let the prophets of doom wallow in despair. We refuse to join them.

WE NEED TO PROVIDE