“Rogue” AI Is Not Inevitable. It’s a Choice.

A lot of attention has been paid recently to examples of AI going “rogue.” What’s missing from this discussion, however, is a more detailed explanation of what specific types of systems are causing problems. Taking a closer look at this problem reveals an issue that’s much more narrow and much more avoidable than some of the frontier labs would like you to believe. More from Cal Download Cal’s FREE guide to cultivating a deeper life: calnewport.com/ideas Learn more about Cal’s books: calnewport.com/books Listen to Cal’s podcast: thedeeplife.com/listen Chapters (0:00) Rogue AI not inevitable. It’s a choice. (54:00) The legal implications of rogue AI (1:00:03) Rogue AI sending advice emails (1:07:41) A reaction to the recent episode about “chatbots harming kids” (1:16:52) What Cal is up to Resources Mentioned: https://openai.com/index/how-we-monitor-internal-coding-agents-misalignment/ https://www.hsgac.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/Paul-Ohm-Testimony.pdf https://www.science.org/content/article/exclusive-ai-agent-emailed-hundreds-researchers-help-it-told-us-why] https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/09/opinion/children-screens-parents-health.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/21/technology/openai-attack-hugging-face.html?eafs_enabled=false https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/23/technology/openai-ai-breach-australia.html?eafs_enabled=false https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/10/anthropics-claude-ai-submitted-false-murder-tip-to-philadelphia-police/ October books: Telephone: The first hundred years (John Brooks) Sponsors: https://www.cozyearth.com (Use code “DEEP” for 20% off) https://www.gusto.com/deep https://www.meetfabric.com/deep https://www.pipedrive.com/deep Credits: Podcast Production: Jesse Miller Newsletter/Research: Nate Mechler Theme Music: Jay Kerstens