Avoid the unknown?

The general trend in advice is that it tends to be conservative. As, indeed, it ought to be especially when it is general advice meant for public consumption, like in a book, where there could be a wide variety of recipients. I mean, like, you are going to play it very safe if you do not know whether the guy who is reading your advice is the sort who has no clue about the existence of common-sense. Even if you do not live in litigious times, it's not something you'd feel comfortable about doing.

Theliviladhanaith thodangaar ilivennum edhappaadu anjubavar - Tirukkural

They who fear for their reputation do not embark on a course of action with uncertain outcomes - Loose Translation

Tiru isn't merely making a passing comment about people who fear reproach. He's actually saying that you ought not to do things with uncertain outcomes lest you end up losing your reputation.

Which will quite jibe with people who live off their reputations, you know. I mean if you are a professional, someone considered an expert in an area like a lawyer or an investment advisor or such, you'd be better off not entering into actions with uncertain outcomes. For THAT could lead to you losing your reputation and, thus, your livelihood.

The problem is when you try to apply it to innovation and technology. I mean, really, do the possible outcomes of this mad rush to AI seem predictable? Or even necessarily all good? And, yet, people in that field...their reputations get MADE on pursuing a course of action with uncertain outcomes.

To be sure, you could also end up getting a reputation of a Frankenstein for having created a monster. But THAT is a risk humanity has always run when it pursued knowledge. For, knowledge IS the apple in the Garden of Eden which Adam ate and it has always been a double-edged sword.

But, yes, there is validity in the conservative point of view which adjures you from a rash pursuit of unknown outcomes. It's fine that you rush into fires recklessly as long as you DO know that fire can burn you and that it IS fire you are rushing into with such haste.

And, so, Tiru has his cautionary word to say about the vice of rushing pell-mell into unknown territory. Not that it has ever helped keep the brakes on humanity!