Radiation as a regulatory model for AI safety: no prior approval, just risk caps and certification
StrategicHarmony · reddit · 2026-09-13
The author proposes electromagnetic radiation regulation as a model for AI safety: radio, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and lasers can be built and used freely without prior permission, as long as interference and absolute risk limits are respected — and commercial products only need testing and certification before sale. This regime shaped the entire electronics industry.
Applied to AI, the argument is:
- No lockdown or pre-approval of all models; instead, require the most powerful, closed, for-profit models to demonstrate safety.
- For open models and personal experimentation, establish clear norms of what harms users are responsible for preventing.
The author concedes it's a metaphor, not rigorous analysis, but argues the mapping is obvious: radiation is likewise a transformative technology that looks like magic and is extremely dangerous when misused.
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