LAST week, regulators in the US announced plans to review export controls across a wide range of emerging technologies. The list includes artificial intelligence and machine learning, as well as technologies that would make substantial use of AI and machine learning, such as robotics and brain-computer interfaces, and supporting technologies. This may result in the US becoming the first nation to explicitly control the spread of AI technologies.

Law-makers are responsible for balancing economic prosperity and growth against public safety threats. Companies such as Google, Apple, Uber and Salesforce have invested heavily in products and …