AI Lock-In Poses Systemic Threat, Demands Preparedness

While much AI safety research focuses on technical alignment and societal impacts like job displacement, a critical, underexplored risk is "AI Lock-In." This phenomenon describes the growing dependence on AI systems, which can lead to a decline in human skills and capacity for independent action. Such reliance creates systemic vulnerabilities, particularly if AI services become unavailable or compromised due to technical failures or geopolitical events. The paper posits that AI Lock-In is already emerging across various scales, from individuals losing specific competencies to national infrastructures becoming overly reliant on AI. It illustrates how this dependence could escalate, potentially leading to widespread disruptions. To counter this, the authors provide guidance on mitigating these risks at each level. They stress the importance of addressing AI Lock-In proactively, before dependencies become irreversible, as a crucial step for safeguarding individual autonomy and national security.