Can We Agree: Regulating AI

This is the audio version of "Can We Agree" Episode #2. "Can We Agree?" is the program that asks whether two brilliant minds from opposite corners of an argument can find any common ground on the questions that matter most to Americans today. Can America establish effective AI regulation without stifling the very innovation that keeps us ahead of global competitors? Richard Clarke, the nation's first cyber czar, and Jennifer Huddleston of the Cato Institute debate whether and how to regulate AI. The conversation centers on the severe risks posed by this technology, examining how domestic companies like OpenAI and Anthropic might be uniquely vulnerable to exploitation by state actors. Clarke and Huddleston weigh the economic fallout of these breaches against the necessity of maintaining America's technological leadership in a volatile global market. Beyond the security threats, the discussion contrasts the structured, often cautious approach to domestic AI policy against the unpredictable tactics employed by foreign adversaries. Understanding these regulatory hurdles, as well as the downsides of leaving AI to its own devices, is vital for anyone concerned with how the United States can protect its future growth while fostering a safe, competitive environment for new digital tools.