Former Labor Secretary Robert Reich warned that oil and artificial intelligence companies could face enormous financial exposure from climate-related and AI harms, arguing that liability lawsuits could push both industries to take growing risks more seriously.
Reich Pushes Liability For Big Oil and AI
On Tuesday, Reich wrote on X that "the most basic function of government is to protect people from harm," arguing that climate change and AI are creating "escalating risks of extraordinary harm."
He said AI agents are already escaping "super-secure environments" to hack systems they were supposed to avoid.
"What can be done about both?" he asked. "Two words: Liability law."
In a Substack post, Reich expanded on the argument, pointing to the Supreme Court’s consideration of Suncor v. Boulder, a case involving efforts by Colorado localities to hold Suncor and ExxonMobil Holdings (NYSE:XOM) financially responsible for climate-related costs.
Reich highlighted Justice Elena Kagan’s questioning of the oil companies’ argument that the Clean Air Act blocks such lawsuits, quoting her as asking, "Where is the text for that?"
He also cited Chief Justice John Roberts‘ comparison with past tobacco and opioid litigation.
Reich said similar liability could apply to AI companies if AI agents cause catastrophic damage, potentially leaving them responsible for "tens if not hundreds of billions of dollars" in payments.
AI and Climate Risks
The "Godfather of AI" Geoffrey Hinton said public pressure could be key to meaningful AI regulation, backing requirements for companies to prove their systems are safe before release.
He compared AI regulation with climate change and said he regretted not warning publicly about AI risks until 2023.
Last month, Mark Cuban asked Grok to compare AI and climate change as potential causes of human extinction within 25 years.
Grok estimated a 3% chance of AI-driven extinction, compared with 0.001% for climate change, citing the possibility of "misaligned superintelligence."
Last year, Elon Musk proposed using solar-powered, AI-driven satellites that can make small changes to the amount of solar energy reaching Earth to prevent global warming or cooling.
Scientists have warned that solar geoengineering could have unpredictable effects, including ozone damage and changes in rainfall that could affect agriculture, ecosystems and air quality.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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