# AI Risk Tradeoffs **Entity class:** Risk framework **Domain:** Artificial intelligence / science / political economy **Maturity:** Developed ## Definition **AI Risk Tradeoffs** compare the harms of deployment with the harms of delay, nondeployment, concentration, geopolitical loss, and foregone medical or scientific progress. ## Mechanism and Consequence A serious analysis separates distinct threat mechanisms and rejects the assumption that doing nothing is the neutral option. ## Relationships - [[wiki/AI Control|AI Control]] - [[wiki/Risk Debate|Risk Debate]] - [[wiki/Defensive Co-Scaling|Defensive Co-Scaling]] - [[wiki/Technological Panic|Technological Panic]] ## Source Dossiers - [[research/AI Is Now So Good They Will Pay You to Quit|AI Is Now So Good They Will Pay You to Quit]] - [[research/Super Intelligence Week Index of Statements from the White House Luncheon|Super Intelligence Week Index of Statements from the White House Luncheon]] - [[research/Jensen Pushes Back on Doomers Moonshots Live|Jensen Pushes Back on Doomers Moonshots Live]] ## Simple Reminders, Quotations, and Thoughts > "‘When in doubt, do nothing’ is a toxic default because very bad things will happen if you do nothing. Terrorists using AI to build bioweapons and China getting miles ahead of the United States are real things to worry about. Turning AI into a left-right political battle is the stupidest thing that could happen. We need specific technical solutions for open source, monitoring, and other risks, as we did with nuclear power. If we move on those solutions, we can solve the problems in time for superintelligence. If we turn this into a political debate, we will become frozen and people will not know what to do." > **— Dave Blundin**, *MOONSHOTS Live, September 25, 2026* [[reminders/Risk Debate/Doing Nothing About AI Can Be More Dangerous Than Acting by Dave Blundin|Doing Nothing About AI Can Be More Dangerous Than Acting by Dave Blundin]]