I don't want the problem to get worse, for cruelty to be further industrialized. I also find all the talk about AI "safety" to avoid a fictional singularity event to be a giant distraction from what is a new consolidation of power.

If we're going to have regulation, let's regulate to protect people from real risks today.

Which cruelty are we talking about here?

If something is currently a problem and then a new thing appears that potentially makes the problem significantly worse - isn't that a good time to do something about it?

Yes but finally doing something about a familiar pain is probably a good thing. Right now it's just theory so on paper we are doing great.