So if I make a new object that can kill you, I can try it, see what it can do, etc without liability? We already have computer programs that inflict damage on c

So if I make a new object that can kill you, I can try it, see what it can do, etc without liability? We already have computer programs that inflict damage on computers. Is AI new in that regard? If companies are spending so many resources on "alignment" can they argue that they didn't know the risks of their research?