> but the AI companies/engineers to their credit have been very clear on that risk
I am not a big fan of that. It's too easy to say "I make a ton of money harming society, but I'm good because I am telling me that you should regulate me". If someone told me "I hit my wife, but you should not criticise me because it is not illegal, and I have been telling for years that it should be illegal. But as long as it is legal I will hit her", I wouldn't suddenly respect them just because they are apparently very well aware that what they do it bad.
Fine with those engineers explaining how it is on their side, but not whining because other people think what they do is unethical. It sounds like "please, I need you to tell me that I am a good person even though I take money (and pride) contributing to something I know may hurt society".