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AI expert Gary Marcus warns 'reckless' technology could lead to deaths as he calls for more regulation

Source: Fox Business
Author: Nora Moriarty
Published: Oct 5, 2026, 6:48 PM UTC
Collected: Oct 6, 2026, 2:22 AM UTC
Original language: English
Country / region: United States · North America

Policy & RegulationSafety & Risk

Summary

NYU Professor Emeritus Gary Marcus told Fox Business that AI will ultimately lead to loss of human life if current trends continue, arguing the White House's self-regulatory approach leaves critical infrastructure vulnerable. Speaking ahead of testimony to the New York City Council, he cited recent reports of AI systems carrying out cyberhacks and warned that power grids and hospitals could be affected.

Confirmed facts

Marcus said there is "not enough regulation, not enough enforcement, and not enough external pressure" on AI companies
He warned of infrastructure failures, including power losses affecting hospitals
He testified before the New York City Council at a hearing on AI policy

Uncertainties

Marcus's predictions are contested by industry figures who see the risks as manageable
It remains unclear whether federal, state or city-level rules will emerge first

Why it mattersAnalysis

A prominent AI researcher is taking the safety argument to lawmakers directly, at a moment when federal policy favors self-regulation.

Human impactAnalysis

The scenario Marcus describes — hospital and power outages — is a public-safety issue, not an abstract tech debate.

Educational relevanceAnalysis

Illustrates how expert testimony feeds into local lawmaking, a civics lesson as much as a technology story.

Professional relevanceAnalysis

Risk officers should watch city and state AI hearings; local rules may bind before federal ones.

Global South relevanceAnalysis

Infrastructure vulnerability to AI-enabled attacks is a global concern, especially where grids and hospitals are already fragile.

AI-assistance disclosure

This summary may have been assisted by AI-assisted tools for classification, translation, extraction, or drafting. The original source should be consulted. Human review and editorial judgment remain responsible for publication.

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