1) progress was stopped due to regulation which is what we are talking about is needed
2) that was done after a few deaths
3) we agree that self driving can be done but its currently stalled. Likewise we do not disagree that AGI is possible right?
We do not have the luxury to have a few deaths from a rogue AI because it may be the end.
I agree in spirit with the person you were responding too. AI lacks the physicality to be a real danger. It can be a danger because of bias or concentration of power (what regulations are trying to do, regulatory capture) but not because AI will paperclip-optimize us. People or corporations using AI will still be legally responsible (like with cars, or a hammer).
It lacks the physicality for that, and we can always pull the plug. AI is another tool people will use. Even now it is neutered to not give bad advice, etc.
These fantasies about AGI are distracting us (again agreeing with OP here) from the real issues of inequality and bias that the tool perpetuates.
No we can't and there is a humongous amount of literature you have not read. As I pointed in another comment, thinking that you found a solution by "pulling the plug" while all the top scientists have spent years contemplating the dangers is extremely narcissistic behavior. "hey guys, did you think about pulling the plug before quitting jobs and spending years and doing interviews and writing books"?
I respectfully disagree, and will remove myself from this conversation.