MIT AI Risk Repository · Risk Category · 68.04.00
Gradual loss of control
Description
"Gradual or accumulative loss of control risks can be described as risks resulting from the accumulation of less severe disruptions that gradually weakens systemic resilience until a critical event triggers a catastrophe [12], [127]."
From Dimensional Characterization and Pathway Modeling for Catastrophic AI Risks (Chin2025), as extracted by the MIT AI Risk Repository (CC BY 4.0).
Classification
- Causal entity
- Other
- Intent
- Unintentional
- Timing
- Other
Subdomain definition: Humans delegating key decisions to AI systems, or AI systems making decisions that diminish human control and autonomy, potentially leading to humans feeling disempowered, losing the ability to shape a fulfilling life trajectory or becoming cognitively enfeebled.
Real-world incidents in this subdomain
- DisMech AI Curation Agent Reportedly Completed GitHub Issue Intended as New Contributor's Learning Task
- Waymo Driverless Taxi Allegedly Stalled During Pedestrian Harassment Incident in San Francisco
- California Police Turned on Music to Allegedly Trigger Instagram’s DCMA to Avoid Being Live-Streamed
- Hawaii Police Deployed Robot Dog to Patrol a Homeless Encampment