According to a Forethought article, unrestricted “galactic anarchy” in space colonization is dangerous because vast distances prevent timely enforcement against rogue star systems that could waste cosmic resources in expansion races, trigger universe-destroying events, or create astronomical suffering. To avert this, every outgoing probe should carry a “nightwatchman” superintelligent AI that holds a decisive local advantage, enforces a narrow universal code of property rights and harm prevention, and replicates itself into subsequent probes.
PLANET MAGAZINE 