# A Case for AI Safety via Law

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2309.12321 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2309.12321/

## Key facts

- No citing papers in the map yet (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- Builds on 12 of its 81 references that are in the map.
- First posted on arXiv 31 Jul 2023.

## Builds on (most cited first, 12 of 12)

- [Deep reinforcement learning from human preferences](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1706.03741/) (2017)
- [Constitutional AI: Harmlessness from AI Feedback](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2212.08073/) (2022)
- [Concrete Problems in AI Safety](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1606.06565/) (2016)
- [Are Emergent Abilities of Large Language Models a Mirage?](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2304.15004/) (2023)
- [AI safety via debate](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1805.00899/) (2018)
- [The Malicious Use of Artificial Intelligence: Forecasting, Prevention, and Mitigation](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1802.07228/) (2018)
- [Optimal Policies Tend to Seek Power](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1912.01683/) (2019)
- [Research Priorities for Robust and Beneficial Artificial Intelligence](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1602.03506/) (2016)
- [A Voting-Based System for Ethical Decision Making](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1709.06692/) (2017)
- [Law Informs Code: A Legal Informatics Approach to Aligning Artificial Intelligence with Humans](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2209.13020/) (2022)
- [Learning Altruistic Behaviours in Reinforcement Learning without External Rewards](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2107.09598/) (2021)
- [The Construction of Reality in an AI: A Review](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2302.05448/) (2023)

## Abstract (arXiv)

How to make artificial intelligence (AI) systems safe and aligned with human values is an open research question. Proposed solutions tend toward relying on human intervention in uncertain situations, learning human values and intentions through training or observation, providing off-switches, implementing isolation or simulation environments, or extrapolating what people would want if they had more knowledge and more time to think. Law-based approaches--such as inspired by Isaac Asimov--have not been well regarded. This paper makes a case that effective legal systems are the best way to address AI safety. Law is defined as any rules that codify prohibitions and prescriptions applicable to particular agents in specified domains/contexts and includes processes for enacting, managing, enforcing, and litigating such rules.