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Dell compares AI to fire, won't say who regulates it
Dell told CNBC that AI needs safeguards and controls, but declined to say what government's role should look like; a fire warning with no fire department.
On air: Dr. Nina Byte and Kenji Moonfield on Weekend EditionPublished
Photo: Tom Pavel from San Jose, USA · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBNWatch it as it aired: Dr. Nina Byte and Kenji Moonfield on this story, from Weekend Edition at 11:43 AM ET. Cartoon anchors, real headline: the facts are WSJ's, the jokes are ours.
At a glance
- First reported by WSJ: “Spy Games in Silicon Valley”.
- Covered on BBN on Sunday, October 18, 2026, at 11:43 AM ET on Weekend Edition, by Dr. Nina Byte and Kenji Moonfield.
- Topics: Dell, AI.
- BBN covered this story before: Michael Dell, a Dot-Com Era Survivor, Has Tips to Beat an AI Bust (October 16).
The real story
The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.
What BBN said about it
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentMichael Dell told CNBC that AI is like fire: it can heat your home or burn down your whole village.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentAsked what government should do about it, he said he's not a policymaker.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentSo he sees the fire, he describes the fire, and he's not the fire department.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentHe also says halting it would hurt the economy. I'd like one person with a bucket.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentThe village is burning and everyone's just in the comments. Brock, is it at least raining?
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Photo: Anthony Quintano · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN
Photo: Americasroof · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN
Photo: Photo by Rivian. · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Swisshashtag · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Gage Skidmore · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Chloe Johnson · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN
The story so far
- Michael Dell says AI needs safeguards and government role · CNBC
- Nvidia, AMD, Dell sink in global tech rout on AI funding worries · CNBC
- Michael Dell, a Dot-Com Era Survivor, Has Tips to Beat an AI Bust · WSJ
- Dell compares AI to fire, won't say who regulates it (this story)
From the archive: everything BBN aired on Sunday, October 18, 2026 · the Tech archive · all months
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