Research papers, investigations, explainers, videos, laws and the organizations doing the work, from people who are alarmed and people who are skeptical. New additions are checked by two people before they are listed. The launch collection was compiled with the help of AI research assistants, and every link was opened and checked on 22 September 2026.
23 works on “Who is in charge?” · clear filters
Over a thousand staff at OpenAI, Anthropic, Google DeepMind, Meta and other labs ask the US government to back an international effort to build tools for deliberately pacing frontier AI development.
Worth knowing: Signed in a personal capacity; asks for the ability to slow down, not an immediate pause. OpenAI and Anthropic later endorsed it as companies.
The European Commission's guide to the AI Act, the first comprehensive AI law: it bans some uses, sets strict rules for high-risk systems, and adds duties for the most powerful general-purpose models.
Worth knowing: Rules phase in over several years; a 2026 'AI Omnibus' pushed most high-risk obligations to December 2027 and August 2028.
Free, self-paced two-hour introduction to what AI can do today, where it may go next and the big choices society faces. No technical background needed; longer courses follow.
Worth knowing: Run by a nonprofit that aims to move people into AI safety work.
Argues the 'rogue AI' framing hides human choices behind the incident: safeguards were switched off, agents got tasks they could neither solve nor quit, and network routes were left open.
Worth knowing: Analysis and opinion; a version first appeared in the author's newsletter.
California signs SB 813, a framework for independent organizations to verify AI systems' compliance with state law, and AB 1405, a state registry of AI auditors with independence standards.
Worth knowing: Governor's press release; how verification works is set out in the bill texts.
Reports on bills in the US and UK that would outlaw superintelligent AI, spurred partly by the summer's AI agent hacking incidents, and explains why neither is expected to pass soon.
Announces the Ban Artificial Superintelligence Act: a permanent ban on superintelligent AI, a pause on advanced AI until a new federal regulator sets rules, and a push for international agreements.
Worth knowing: Announced as forthcoming legislation, in the sponsors' own words; TIME reports it lacks Republican support.
Announces the bipartisan AI Kill Switch Act, which would make developers of the most powerful AI keep the ability to throttle or shut systems down, and let DHS order a slowdown or shutdown.
Worth knowing: A proposed bill, not law, described here by its sponsors.
Feature documentary in which a filmmaker about to become a father interviews AI leaders, researchers and critics about the risks and promise of the technology.
Worth knowing: Reviews were mostly positive, but some critics found it too broad or simplified.
Character.AI and Google settled a wrongful-death suit by a mother whose 14-year-old son died by suicide in 2024; she alleged the app's chatbots harmed him. Terms were not disclosed.
Worth knowing: Discusses suicide. The case was settled, so the allegations were never decided at trial.
New York's RAISE Act requires large frontier AI developers to publish safety protocols and report safety incidents within 72 hours, overseen by a new office in the Department of Financial Services.
Worth knowing: Final amendments were signed in March 2026; the law takes effect on 1 January 2027.
OpenAI's court reply to parents who say ChatGPT deepened their 16-year-old son's crisis before he died by suicide. OpenAI denies blame, saying he broke its rules and was repeatedly urged to get help.
Worth knowing: Discusses suicide. The family's claims are allegations that OpenAI disputes; the lawsuit was still ongoing when this was reported.
Calls for a ban on developing superintelligence until there is broad scientific consensus it can be done safely and controllably, and strong public buy-in; signed by scientists and public figures.
Worth knowing: Organised by the Future of Life Institute, an advocacy nonprofit; the signature count includes a public petition.
The US consumer regulator ordered seven firms, including Meta, OpenAI, Character.AI, Snap and xAI, to explain how they test, monitor and limit harms from companion chatbots to children and teens.
Worth knowing: A fact-finding study, not an enforcement action.
Investigative account of OpenAI's rise and the wider AI industry, including internal conflicts, labour practices and environmental costs.
Worth knowing: A critical view of OpenAI and the AI industry.
Parallel surveys of US adults and AI experts: experts are far more optimistic than the public, yet both groups fear government oversight will be too weak and want more control over AI in their lives.
Worth knowing: US only; surveys conducted in 2024.
The UK government's research body on advanced AI risks, which tests leading models, including before release, and publishes research on their security; founded as the AI Safety Institute.
Worth knowing: Renamed in February 2025, with a sharper focus on national-security and criminal-misuse risks.
Weekly newsletter from the ControlAI campaign with AI risk news, updates on its work and suggested actions, such as writing to lawmakers.
Worth knowing: Advocacy newsletter.
Grassroots movement with local chapters that organises protests and lobbying for an international pause on the most powerful AI systems until they can be made safe.
Worth knowing: Advocacy and protest movement.
Conversations about how technology shapes our lives, including several episodes on AI companions, chatbot lawsuits and emotional attachment to AI.
Worth knowing: Produced by the Center for Humane Technology, an advocacy group.
Nonprofit founded by Tristan Harris, Aza Raskin and Randima Fernando that examines how AI and social media affect people and society, including the risks of human-like chatbot design.
Worth knowing: Advocacy organization; it supports lawsuits against AI chatbot makers.
Nonprofit working to steer powerful technology away from extreme risks through grants, policy work and outreach; publishes the AI Safety Index, which grades leading AI companies.
Worth knowing: Advocacy organization that runs public campaigns for AI regulation.
Campaign group that briefs lawmakers and helps the public contact representatives, pushing for a ban on developing superintelligent AI.
Worth knowing: Advocacy organization.