Seat Belts for the Algorithmic Century

As large language models (LLMs) increasingly shape daily interactions—from education and health to entertainment—they introduce unseen risks stemming from hidden biases and shifting personalities. Drawing on the analogy of automotive seat belts, this essay argues for independent “safety inspections” of LLM should to protect users from societal harms. Focusing on Southeast Europe, it proposes the creation of an AI Observatory to regularly stress-test deployed models for value alignment, factual grounding, and ethical drift, with results transparently reported to the public. This proactive approach empowers users, supports regulatory development, and positions smaller markets to lead in AI governance. Ultimately, integrating systematic safeguards ensures that the benefits of AI can be realized without recurring tragedies, balancing technological wonder with user safety in the algorithmic age.