I wish we could let go of the idea that Google or Microsoft is liable - directly culpable - for the output of these incomprehensibly complex language models. This notion will impede progress.
Even if it gets it right mostly, well that's dangerous in its way. When it's egregiously wrong but continues to sound like it actually knows what it's talking about, it will lead folks into error.
I love progress, and it’s an important thing, but progress can cause harm. We need to work to balance the two.
If you wave a hand and say there is no liability at all, the harm doesn’t go away. In fact, it dramatically increases. So, you’re actually just shifting the liability from one party (who caused the harm) to another party (who likely has no control over it at all).
So, while I agree that liability will impede progress to some extent, I would push back and say that to value progress at all costs is simply a mistake that doesn’t align with the values of most members of society.